The couple agreed to bring them a girl for Rs 40,000. As per the plan, the team approached the couple and handed over the money to Kalidas, who then brought a girl of about 17 years, hailing from Maharashtra.

Crime Branch officials, who were waiting in plain clothes, immediately swooped down on Jayshree society in Vatva, while the duo was in the process of sealing the deal.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Subhash Trivedi said the couple used to get girls from backward areas of Maharashtra, especially Ratnagiri, with the promise of finding them a suitable alliance in Gujarat. The unsuspecting parents, who could ill afford to shell out large sums to marry off their daughters, usually consented. Kalidas and Shardaben used to pay the parents about Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000.

However, on reaching Ahmedabad, the couple would sell the girls for over Rs 40,000. Once they got the money, the duo did not so much as bother to find out if the buyer would marry the girl or not.

The police said during investigation Kalidas and Shardaben had revealed before Crime Branch officials that the girls from Maharashtra were brought through Raj and Ashok, who were the local contacts in Maharashtra.

Police further added that a woman named Sangita, residing in the city, is also involved in the sale of girls.

During investigation, the two told the police that they had sold three girls in Daran village of Kadi taluka, one each in Dahod and Godhra. However, police suspect the number of girls sold in the State to be greater. Further probe in the case is being carried out by PSI B C Joshi. The duo had been produced before the Magistrate for remand and hearing in the case was on.