Mumbai: ‘child traffickers foundation website still operational’

WhatsApp chats between the accused and an undercover officer

The Special Juvenile Aid Police Unit (SJAPU) of the Mumbai Crime Branch has submitted a 270-page charge sheet before the Esplanade court against Julia Lawrence Fernandes, 35, and her accomplice, who allegedly operated an illegal adoption and child trafficking operation. Fernandes and her associate, Shabana Shaikh, were apprehended by the SJAPU in July last year in an undercover operation after receiving information from the Women and Child Development Department, Pune.

A child, who is now one year old, was rescued from them. The charge sheet has revealed that the accused have not disclosed the identity of the baby's biological parents to this day. The child is now available for adoption and is currently in the care of the Mahalaxmi-based Bal Asha Trust, a charitable organisation that helps abandoned and destitute children in Mumbai. "It became challenging to obtain information about the child's biological parents because the accused was never placed in our custody. Instead, the court remanded her in judicial custody and subsequently granted bail. The accused did not cooperate throughout the investigation. The charge sheet has significant evidence against her, including WhatsApp chats, in which she discussed rates and illegal adoptions," an officer familiar with the investigation revealed.

In WhatsApp conversations, Fernandes, discussed with an undercover woman officer posing as a prospective parent for adoption that she had to pay R50,000 for the birth certificate and adoption deed. Additionally, she promised to provide guidance on the amount needed to be paid to the child's biological parents. The charge sheet has revealed that she requested an additional R4 lakh to be given to the child's biological parents, but never disclosed their identity.

During the investigation, the police discovered that the accused had four similar cases registered against her between 2017 and 2022, spanning different police stations in Kalyan, Mankhurd, Wadala, Bandra, besides the current case at Antop Hill police station. She had been arrested once in 2017. Subsequent to her arrest in the Antop Hill case by the SJAPU, other police stations also took her into custody.

"It is shocking that, despite informing the relevant authorities, the website of Aham Foundation, is still operational," added an officer.

The case came to light when the complainant, Jayprakash Jadhav, who works with a government-recognised organisation involved in legal adoptions, discovered the illegal adoption process conducted by Ahana Foundation. According to Jadhav's statement, a needy couple had approached him to inquire about the adoption process. After explaining the details, they were surprised to learn that a nursing home in Mumbai was willing to provide them with a child in exchange for money. Jadhav reported this information to the Women and Child Development Department in Pune, which later informed the Mumbai Crime Branch. The special branch, SJAPU, sprang into action.

During the investigation, the police uncovered the involvement of another woman residing in Govandi, identified as Hafiza. Despite multiple searches, she has not been located. Fernandes told mid-day over the phone, "This is not a case of child trafficking. No such evidence was found and the bail order is in my favour. I'll discuss the case later. My nursing home is shut and Aham Foundation has nothing to do with this. The charity commissioner was also not satisfied with the police report."

She added that she wanted to share her detailed version of events soon.

The court has yet to take cognisance of the charge sheet.