Major child trafficking racket busted in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Feb 9: The Bengaluru Police on Monday busted a syndicate which had illegally sent at least 32 children to the United States over the last few years.

After simultaneous raids across the City, the police arrested 16 people. The accused had created ‘fake parents’ for these children and got documents prepared for procuring passport and visa.

Uday Pratap Singh (44), a resident of Jayamahal, is suspected to be the kingpin of the racket. More arrests are expected shortly in Bengaluru and elsewhere across the country. The police have decided to contact the US Consulate in?Chennai and officials in the US to ascertain the whereabouts of the 32 children. The police suspect existence of such syndicates in many major cities in India.

Though the exact motive of the syndicate is still not clear, preliminary inquiry has indicated that the arrested and their absconding associates collected hefty sums from Indians illegally over-staying in the US and translocated their children living in India to the US. The syndicate charged Rs 25 lakh to send one child to the US. The police are verifying bank details to unearth more information. People from Gujarat and Punjab overstaying in the US are said to have paid the syndicate to get their children over.

Singh had admitted that the syndicate had sent 32 children to the US and that the children were united with their parents in the US. “We are not ready to buy Singh’s theory.?He might have sent the children as part of trafficking for human organs.?

There could also be a few cases of illegal adoptions. The truth will come out during the probe,” said ACP (East)?P?Harishekharan, who headed the Special Investigation Team.

Meanwhile, US Consulate General officials in Chennai said they were coordinating with the investigation team. Though, the authorities refused to disclose the details exchanged with the Bengaluru Police, officials said.

“We are closely looking into all the allegations. Since, it is under investigation, we cannot reveal anything at this point of time,” the officials added.

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Air India Express brings back Mangaluru–Muscat direct flights from March 2026

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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