3 sentenced to 10 years in child trafficking case

Mangaluru: The Second Additional District and Sessions (Special) Court has sentenced three individuals to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in connection with a child trafficking case that occurred in Ullal, under the jurisdiction of the Ullal Police Station.

The convicts are Lineta Veigas (38), her husband Jossy Veigas (58), and mother Lucy Veigas (65), all residents of Pajeer.

Officials received a tip-off that child traffickers were nearby. Acting on that, the police along with Childline laid a trap to catch the criminals. Social activist Vidya Dinakar posed as a Muslim woman, while police officer Iqbal acted as her husband intending to "buy" the child. The duo visited the clinic where the child was being offered for sale by the accused.

Explaining the case, Special Public Prosecutor Jyothi Pramoda Nayak stated that on July 26, 2013, at around 6:30 pm, the accused Lineta Veigas, Rangavva (also known as Geetha), Jossy Veigas, and Lucy Veigas arrived at the Children’s Clinic in Thokkottu, Permannur village.

Rangavva was holding a two-and-a-half-month-old baby girl and intended to sell her to the “Muslim couple.”

Lineta claimed Rangavva was the child’s biological mother and agreed to hand over the baby in exchange for Rs 2 lakh. The couple paid Rs 90,000 upfront, promising to pay the remaining amount the next day.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Lucy Veigas had contacted Rehana, an anganwadi worker, seeking assistance in obtaining an Aadhaar card for her “daughter’s child.” Suspecting foul play, Rehana informed Childline, which then coordinated with Ullal police and social activist Vidya Dinakar to lay the trap.

A case was registered under Sections 370(4) and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) based on a complaint by Childline staff member Ashuntha D’Souza. During the trial, it was noted that the biological mother, Rangavva, had passed away.

On June 30, Judge Jagadeesh V N pronounced Lineta, Jossy, and Lucy guilty. On July 3, the court sentenced them each to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 each. In case of non-payment of the fine, the convicts will face an additional six months of imprisonment, the public prosecutor said.

The court also ordered the seizure of Rs 94,325 and five mobile phones belonging to Lineta Veigas. These items, currently in her possession, must be submitted to the court by July 31.

The case was originally registered on July 26, 2013. The investigation was led by then Ullal PSI Ramesh H Hanapur, who later filed the chargesheet in court. The prosecution examined 12 witnesses during the trial.

It was further revealed that Lineta and her husband had earlier approached an advocate for legal advice regarding adoption. The advocate sensed something suspicious and later became a key witness for the prosecution.

Rangavva, the biological mother, was reportedly working in a stone quarry in Pajeer when she came in contact with Lineta, who lured her into "donating" the child in exchange for money. At present, Lineta is the mother of a 40-day-old infant.