Jashpur. (20:04): In Jashpur, a unique case of human trafficking has emerged. This time, three minor children were promised a prosperous future and marriage into wealthy families but were instead targeted for trafficking. Fortunately, the police intervened in time, thwarting the entire plan.
What sets this case apart is that the accused are close relatives of the minor girls. While one female suspect has been arrested, the search for others is ongoing.
According to the police report filed on April 18, 2024, a 65-year-old filed a report stating that his grandson had died in an accident several years ago, and the grandson’s wife remarried elsewhere. The grandson left behind three children: a 14-year-old girl, a 12-year-old girl, and a 10-year-old boy. The eldest girl dropped out of school after the 6th grade. The children live with the applicant’s disabled elder brother, with the applicant and his family members caring for them.
On April 12, 2024, around 4 pm, the applicant returned home after grazing the goats to find that his daughter-in-law informed him that the three great-grandchildren had gone somewhere without informing anyone. Upon searching, it was discovered that they were seen riding on a scooter with a close relative. Assuming it was a family member, no alarm was raised initially. However, when the applicant contacted the relative after three days, she denied any knowledge of the children. A case was registered based on the applicant’s report, and an investigation is underway.
Considering the gravity of the situation, Superintendent of Police Jashpur, Mr. Shashi Mohan Singh (IPS), formed a team led by SDOP Bagicha, Mrs. Nimisha Pandey, to locate the missing children. The operation was closely monitored by Superintendent of Police Jashpur himself. The team successfully rescued the three children and brought them to the police station.
The incident involved an attempt to marry off the children into affluent families. During questioning, the girls revealed that a relative had visited their home two days before the incident and persuaded them to accompany her. Without informing their guardian, she took the girls to her house, where she kept them for two days. On April 12, 2024, she brought them to Tapkara on her scooter and promised, “Your father’s money will come, but only if you stay together. If you work outside, you’ll earn more. I’ll arrange marriages for you in wealthy families, and your lives will be good. We’ll take your brother too.” She instructed them to keep quiet and not tell anyone. She then took the siblings to Kunkuri bus stand and further to Kansabel, where her friend was supposed to meet them. She provided them with Rs 500 for the bus fare. They boarded a bus, changed at Kunkuri, and upon reaching Kansabel, met the relative and her associates. The relative’s friend then took them to Ambikapur by bus and subsequently to Chhatarpur (Madhya Pradesh) via train, where she insisted they stay with her. The relative’s friends advised the girls to go to Delhi for work, promising good earnings and marriage. They held the siblings captive for 3-4 days and did not allow them to communicate with anyone. During this time, a boy was brought for marriage, but when the girl refused, he left.
Upon learning about police activities, the relative left the children in Ambikapur. During interrogation, she confessed to luring the children and making arrangements for their marriage without informing anyone. She had agreed to marry off the girls for Rs 3 lakhs, of which she had already taken an advance of Rs 20,000 and incurred expenses of Rs 10,000. The remaining cash, along with a scooter and a mobile phone, were seized by the police. The 35-year-old accused has been arrested and sent to judicial custody for violating the law.
In the investigation, recovery of the children, and arrest of the accused, SDOP Bagicha Mrs. Nimisha Pandey, Tapkara Police Station In-charge Mr. Sunil Singh, Sub-Inspector Ms. Premika Kujur, Sub-Inspector Mr. Anil Kamre, Sub-Inspector Mr. Samudan Toppo, M.R. 633 Manju Yadav, and R. Shivpujan Sai played pivotal roles.
Superintendent of Police Jashpur, Shashi Mohan Singh (IPS), stated, “One accused has been arrested in the case, and efforts are underway to apprehend the other absconding culprits. There is a possibility of further major revelations in the case.”
