Jharkhand teen rescued from Delhi six years after human trafficking
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK New Delhi/Ranchi, August 3: A 16-year-old girl from Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, who was allegedly trafficked nearly six…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
New Delhi/Ranchi, August 3: A 16-year-old girl from Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, who was allegedly trafficked nearly six years ago, has been rescued from Delhi in a joint operation by the Chaibasa Police, Delhi Police, Mission Mukti Foundation and a rescue team, exposing what investigators believe is an organised human trafficking network operating across multiple states.
Police said the minor was rescued following coordinated efforts between agencies from Jharkhand and Delhi. The operation was carried out under the guidance of Jharkhand Bhawan Resident Commissioner Arva Rajkamal, whose coordination facilitated inter-state action leading to the girl’s rescue.
Victim allegedly sold and forced into marriage
During counselling after her rescue, the victim allegedly revealed that she had been lured from Jharkhand to Delhi while she was still a minor and forced to work as a domestic help.
According to investigators, she was later taken to Mumbai before being allegedly sold for ₹1 lakh and forced into marriage with an unidentified Punjabi man. She reportedly endured years of physical and mental abuse before being rescued.
Aadhaar date of birth allegedly altered
The investigation has uncovered alleged manipulation of the victim’s Aadhaar card to show her as an adult.
Police said the date of birth was allegedly altered to conceal her actual age and facilitate her trafficking, exploitation and forced marriage. The suspected document forgery is now under detailed investigation.
A criminal case is being registered at Gudri Police Station in West Singhbhum under provisions relating to human trafficking, cheating, forgery and other applicable offences.
Suspected trafficking gang under scanner
The investigation has identified Pratima Gupta, a resident of Gumla, along with Hemant Gupta, Vishal Gupta, Manish Bharti and Meena Devi, as suspected members of the trafficking network.
According to police, the victim was allegedly moved to different locations through a placement agency operated by the accused in Delhi’s Ram Vihar area of Rohini.
Investigators are examining the role of the placement agency, its associates and other persons suspected to be part of the trafficking network.
Probe into organised trafficking racket
Officials said the case appears to involve multiple serious offences, including organised human trafficking, document forgery, child labour and forced marriage.
Police are working to identify other members of the network and trace similar cases linked to the alleged racket.
Rehabilitation process underway
In line with the Jharkhand government’s zero-tolerance policy against human trafficking, authorities have initiated steps to provide the rescued girl with legal assistance, counselling and rehabilitation.
Officials said the investigation is continuing and further disclosures are expected as efforts intensify to dismantle the entire trafficking network.
