The couple from Thakurpukur who were arrested on Sunday on charges of trafficking a two-day-old baby had used social media to lure childless couples into “adoption” and offered them babies in return for money, state CID officers said.

The officers on Monday said the racketeers had created a website and were using it on social media to advertise opportunities to “adopt” a child.

According to the rule, children can only be adopted through the Central Adoption Resource Authorities (CARA).

“No one has the right to sell or buy children. That is a crime," said a senior CID officer.

On Sunday morning, the anti-human trafficking unit of the state CID conducted a raid outside Shalimar railway station in Howrah, rescued the baby and arrested the couple, who have been remanded in police custody for 10 days.

CID officials identified the accused duo as Manik Haldar, 38, and Mukul Sarkar, 32.

“The couple played a crucial role in running this inter-state human trafficking racket. They had planned to sell the two-day-old baby whom we had rescued for Rs 2 lakh. Two officers in plainclothes approached the racketeers posing as a childless couple. They told the accused they were contacting him after seeing an advertisement on social media," a senior officer in the CID said on Monday.

Officers said the child is suspected to have been smuggled from Patna, where Rs 1 lakh had allegedly changed hands.

Cops said they were trying to identify other members of the racket.

According to the central government adoption rules, prospective parents have to apply for adoption through the CARA website.

Sometimes it takes years for the process to be complete. “Childless couples are vulnerable when they have a long waiting period. They could feel tempted to opt for other means of adoption, even if those are illegal," said an officer.