Mumbai: Police have uncovered a child trafficking racket following the rescue of a six-day-old baby boy and the arrest of four individuals, including the infant’s parents, an official confirmed on Thursday.

The operation was launched after social activist Dr Binu Varghese alerted authorities with credible information regarding the illegal sale of the newborn.

Acting swiftly on the tip-off, officers from the Shivaji Nagar police station apprehended two women on Wednesday night as they were caught red-handed accepting ₹4.5 lakh in exchange for the baby. The child was immediately rescued from the scene.

Further investigation revealed that ₹1 lakh had already been paid in advance to the child's parents, police said.

The four people arrested have been identified as Nazima Sheikh alias Nasreen, Fatima Mehmoobali, and the infant’s parents, Irfan Khan and Sumaiya Khan. All are residents of Shivaji Nagar.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including section 143(3) pertaining to trafficking. Police have also identified a suspected mastermind of the racket -- reportedly a relative of a known local history-sheeter --who is currently under investigation.