Minor Victim of Human Trafficking After Birthdate Change in Aadhaar, Jharkhand Teen Rescued from Delhi
Human Trafficking Network Busted in Joint Operation, Minor Victim from Jharkhand Freed After Six Years
New Delhi/Ranchi: A 16-year-old girl from West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, who fell victim to human trafficking about six years ago, has been safely rescued during a joint rescue operation conducted in Delhi. This action was successfully carried out through the combined efforts of Chaibasa Police, Delhi Police, Mission Mukti Foundation, and the rescue team.
During the counseling of the victim after her rescue, several serious facts related to human trafficking came to light. The victim stated that she was lured from Jharkhand to Delhi as a minor, where she was forced into domestic work. Afterward, she was sent to Mumbai and finally sold for one lakh rupees and forcibly married to an unknown Punjabi man. During this period, she continuously faced mental and physical abuse.
Considering the gravity of the case, action is being taken under sections related to human trafficking, fraud, and others at the Gudi Police Station in West Singhbhum district. Preliminary investigation has also revealed that the accused fraudulently altered the victim's date of birth in her Aadhaar card to show her as an adult, in order to conceal her actual age and attempt to legitimize human trafficking and exploitation. The police are also conducting a detailed investigation into this document forgery.
This entire operation was conducted under the direction and guidance of Mr. Arva Rajkamal, Resident Commissioner of Jharkhand Bhavan, through whose coordination, effective liaison was established among the agencies of various states, ensuring the successful rescue of the victim.
During the investigation, the names of Pratima Gupta (resident of Gumla), Hemant Gupta, Vishal Gupta, Manish Bharti, and Meena Devi have emerged in the human trafficking gang. Investigation has also revealed that the victim was sent to various places through their placement agency operating from the Ram Vihar area in Rohini, Delhi. The police are also investigating the agency's role, its network, and other individuals involved in this human trafficking racket.
According to officials, this case appears to be linked to serious crimes such as organized human trafficking networks, document manipulation, child labor, and forced marriages. Investigating agencies are working to connect the links of this entire network and identify and take action against other accused involved.
Under the Jharkhand government's 'zero tolerance' policy against human trafficking, further action is being taken for the victim's necessary legal aid, counseling, and rehabilitation process in coordination with the concerned departments. The police have indicated that further significant revelations are expected in the case and the investigation is ongoing to dismantle the entire human trafficking network.