Newborn ‘for sale’ on WhatsApp: Noida nurse demands Rs 2.6 lakh in adoption racket

Story by Times Now Digital

25 March 2026

A private hospital in Gautam Buddh Nagar district was sealed, and its license was also revoked on Tuesday (March 24) after its owner and two staff members were allegedly found involved in the sale of a five-day-old girl for Rs 2.6 lakh, police and health officials said, as quoted by PTI. A police team arrested the owner of Navjeevan Hospital, a sanitation worker and an operation theatre technician, while a nurse and her husband are absconding, they said.

Following the arrests, the chief medical officer (CMO) constituted a three-member inquiry committee. Deputy CMO Chandan Soni said the action followed a police report. “The hospital’s licence has been cancelled based on police inputs. A three-member committee led by the CMO will examine all records, including delivery registers, to verify the identities of mothers and detect any manipulation. Its findings will be compiled as evidence and could be important in court,” he said as quoted by TOI.

The licence of the private hospital, Navjeevan, located under Bisrakh police station limits, was cancelled and the facility was sealed, a senior district health officer said, adding that further investigation by the health department is underway.

“Available for adoption”

The case came to light after a couple from Ace City in Bisrakh informed child protection authorities about a WhatsApp message claiming a newborn girl was “available for adoption.” According to police, the message was circulated by Pushpa, a nurse at a hospital who also worked as a domestic help in the society. When the complainant’s wife contacted the number, she was allegedly told the baby could be given to them for Rs 2.6 lakh and was asked to make a quick decision.

Acting on the input, teams from the anti-human trafficking unit and Bisrakh police carried out a joint operation. “During the operation, contact was established with the complainant and the child was safely recovered. As per the directions of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), the baby has been sent to Sai Kripa Shelter Home,” police said.

Police said an FIR was registered on Saturday under sections 143(2) and 143(4) (human trafficking) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and provisions of the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act at Bisrakh police station.

The arrestees have been identified as hospital owner Yashika Garg (33), sanitation worker Gajendra Singh (35) and operation theatre technician Ranjit Singh (24).

Police said efforts are underway to trace the absconding accused named Pushpa, while further investigation is in progress.