Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Mumbai Court Keeps Infant Purchase Case Against Woman For Trial
A Mumbai court is allowing a case against Sanobar Chipalunkar to continue.
She is accused of paying ₹2.5 lakh to obtain a baby in 2023.
Her lawyer says she wanted to adopt because she could not have a child.
He says she did not plan to harm or exploit the baby.
Prosecutors say the payment was part of a larger child-trafficking racket.
They allege that about 16 children were trafficked by 11 accused people.
The court said it must examine why Chipalunkar bought the child.
It refused to end the case before a trial.
The article gives different figures for children rescued, with the prosecution citing two and the court citing four.
A Mumbai sessions court refused to discharge Sanobar Chipalunkar in an infant-purchase case.
Prosecutors allege she paid ₹2.5 lakh to obtain an infant from the child’s financially distressed mother.
Her lawyer said she intended to adopt the child after being unable to conceive, but used an illegal process.
The prosecution alleges a racket involving 11 accused and about 16 trafficked children.
The court said her intent must be determined at trial and found sufficient material to proceed.
- Who
- Sanobar Chipalunkar, the prosecution, and other accused persons allegedly involved in child trafficking.
- What
- A Mumbai sessions court rejected Chipalunkar’s request to be discharged from an infant-purchase and alleged trafficking case.
- When
- The ruling was reported on September 10, 2026; the alleged conduct occurred between May 1, 2022, and October 15, 2023.
- Where
- Mumbai.
- Why
- The court said Chipalunkar’s intention in paying for and obtaining the infant requires examination at trial.
Defence Position
Prosecution And Court Position
Purpose of obtaining the child
Defence Position
Chipalunkar’s lawyer said she wanted to adopt a child after being unable to conceive and had no intention of exploitation.
Prosecution And Court Position
The prosecution alleged that she purchased the infant within a broader child-trafficking operation, while the court said her intent remains for judicial determination.
Whether the case should continue
Defence Position
The defence sought Chipalunkar’s discharge, arguing that her purpose was adoption rather than trafficking.
Prosecution And Court Position
The prosecution opposed discharge, citing her alleged connections with other accused and the repeated, similar transactions; the court found enough material for trial.
- Accused
- Sanobar Chipalunkar
- Alleged payment
- ₹2.5 lakh
- Alleged transaction period
- May 1, 2022, to October 15, 2023
- Number of accused alleged by prosecution
- 11
- Children allegedly trafficked
- About 16
- Children rescued
- The prosecution cited 2, while the court referred to 4
- Court decision
- Discharge application rejected; trial will proceed