Human Trafficking Ring Busted in Banda
In a significant development in a shocking human trafficking case, Banda police have arrested Balram, a key accomplice of the main accused, on Wednesday. The arrest marks another crucial step in the investigation into a disturbing incident where a woman was allegedly sold for Rs 1.38 lakh and forced into marriage against her will.
The Tip-Off and Arrest
Acting on specific intelligence, the Anti Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) successfully apprehended Balram near the mortuary behind police lines. According to police officials, Balram played a significant role in aiding the primary accused in executing the human trafficking operation that has sent shockwaves through the community.
The case came to light when the survivor, who hails from Manikpur Dadapur in Chitrakoot, filed a formal complaint at the AHTU police station on November 22. In her harrowing account, the woman revealed that her own mother, Munni, and brother, Jaynarayan, brought her to Banda on November 20 and sold her to Krishna Kumar, son of Shivram from Palwal, Haryana.
Forced Marriage and Fake Identity
What makes this case particularly disturbing is that the victim was already married to Aditya, a Bihar native, for two years. She had come to her maternal home just ten days before the incident occurred. Despite her existing marital status, her mother and brother arranged another marriage with the Haryana-based man at a temple in the Baberu police station area on November 20.
To conceal her true identity and facilitate the illegal marriage, the accused obtained a fake Aadhaar card for the woman. This sophisticated attempt to hide the crime demonstrates the calculated nature of the human trafficking operation.
The AHTU team conducted a thorough investigation, recording the woman's statement before a magistrate and arranging her medical examination. After verifying all the facts presented, authorities registered a formal case against all the accused parties.
Previous Arrests and Ongoing Manhunt
This isn't the first arrest in this troubling case. Based on substantial evidence and the victim's detailed statement, Krishna Kumar, the man who purchased the woman, was arrested on November 25 and has since been remanded to judicial custody.
Police authorities have confirmed that Munni and Jaynarayan have been officially booked, and an intensive search operation is underway to locate and arrest them. The investigation continues as authorities work to ensure all individuals involved in this human trafficking network face justice.
The Banda police have emphasized their commitment to combating human trafficking in the region and have urged anyone with additional information to come forward as they continue their probe into this disturbing case of family betrayal and illegal bride trafficking.
