In a significant breakthrough, the Kaushambi police on Friday claimed to have dismantled an inter-state racket involved in fraudulent marriages and human trafficking. The police arrested five individuals on charges of trafficking a minor girl and compelling her into marriage. The operation was carried out following a complaint lodged by the father of the victim.
Incident and Initial Investigation
According to police officials, a man approached the Kokhraj police station on March 25, reporting that his daughter had gone missing after leaving home to appear for her high school examination. Acting promptly, the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and initiated a thorough investigation.
Tracking the Victim
The police traced the minor girl to Kasganj on April 22. She was immediately produced for a medical examination, during which she disclosed the harrowing details of her ordeal. The victim stated that the accused had taken her to a hotel, where she was raped. Subsequently, she was sold and forced into marriage with an elderly man. This revelation led to a swift crackdown by the authorities.
Arrests and Seizures
The police apprehended five accused individuals identified as Sumit Kumar, Anuradha, Manju alias Phulmati, Shahrukh Hussain, and Anshu Jatav. They are residents of Kasganj, Etah, and Mainpur, respectively. During the arrests, the police also seized seven mobile phones and a sum of Rs 13,510 in cash from their possession, which is believed to be proceeds from the illegal transaction.
Confessions of the Accused
Following their arrest, the accused confessed to their crimes. They revealed that the minor girl had left her home on March 25 after a disagreement with her family members. She met a man named Anshu at the Kanpur Central railway station, who then lured her into the trafficking network. The girl was sold for Rs 70,000, and later her marriage was forcibly solemnised with Sumit Kumar, one of the arrested individuals.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The accused are currently in police custody and will be produced before a local court. Investigations are ongoing to determine if there are more victims or other members involved in this inter-state racket. The authorities have assured that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure justice for the victim and to dismantle any such networks operating in the region.
This case highlights the persistent issue of human trafficking and forced marriages in certain parts of the country. The police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station. The successful operation by the Kaushambi police serves as a warning to those involved in such heinous crimes.
