Amravati : A doctor couple on the run for 25 days, after being accused of trying to sell a newborn for Rs 3.5 lakh, was arrested late Wednesday by Fraserpura police.
The accused, Dr Vaishali Bhojne and her husband Prafulla Bhojne, who own a maternity hospital where the 17-year-old girl delivered the baby, walked into a police trap in Sainagar-Akoli area of Amravati city when they came to meet a lawyer. The Bhojne couple went underground on Oct 15, immediately after the arrest of Dr Mayur Dhandge, who was accused of referring the pregnant teen to the hospital and concealing information from police. Sources said the Bhojne couple filed an anticipatory bail plea while on the run and the hearing was scheduled for Nov 17.
They were taken to the police station and named in an FIR for human trafficking , other stringent sections of BNS and POCSO Act . The couple did not stay with relatives or friends, but shifted base and visited religious shrines, including Pandharpur, while trying to secure anticipatory bail. Police, however, kept vigil on their movements. Late Wednesday, the detection branch chief of Fraserpura police received a tip-off that the doctor couple would come to the Sainagar area to get an affidavit done and police laid a trap. The operation was monitored by Amravati police commissioner Rakesh Ola and deputy commissioner of police Pranjali Sonawane.
Treatment continued at the hospital from pregnancy to the delivery on Oct 15. Subsequently, an audio recording purportedly capturing details of the sale transaction emerged and police were tipped off about the alleged Rs 3.5-lakh deal. Examination reportedly revealed a five-month pregnancy.
Police sources said, the case began with the pregnancy of a minor girl, who was allegedly in a relationship with a boy. After the family came to know, she was subsequently taken to Dr Vaishali Bhojne for treatment. An offence was registered and investigations began.