In a significant breakthrough, the Haryana Government Railway Police (GRP) has successfully arrested an absconding accused in a severe child labour case, culminating a relentless four-month investigation and a massive search operation spanning over 200 kilometres. The accused, identified as Anil, was apprehended from the Gautam Buddh Nagar region of Uttar Pradesh.
A Gruesome Incident and a Challenging Investigation
The case dates back to August 2025, when police received information about a grievously injured minor boy from Bahadurgarh. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the child was forced into labour by the accused, Anil. During this forced work, the boy suffered a horrific accident where his hand was severed in a fodder-cutting machine.
The investigation faced immediate hurdles. "At the time of the incident, the child was in a state of psychological trauma and unable to provide clear details about himself or the accused, making the investigation extremely challenging," stated a police spokesperson. Given the seriousness of the crime, Nikita Gahlot, Superintendent of Police, Railways Haryana, constituted a dedicated Special Investigation Team (SIT). This team included cyber experts and seasoned officers drawn from multiple districts to crack the case.
The Extensive 200-Kilometer Manhunt
The SIT launched an exhaustive search operation to trace the fugitive. Their efforts covered a vast geographical area, painstakingly scouring more than 200 villages across a 200-kilometre radius. The search spanned numerous districts in Haryana including Kaithal, Jind, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Bahadurgarh, Sonipat, Panipat, Nuh, and Palwal.
The net was cast wider into the National Capital Region and Uttar Pradesh, covering areas of Delhi like Narela, Nangloi, and Shahdara, as well as Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Aligarh, and Baghpat. During the probe, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also intervened, directing that the child's statement be recorded again under expert supervision. The identity of the accused, Anil, was meticulously verified through records from the Haryana Education Board, Uttar Pradesh Education Board, and local Gram Panchayats.
Technical Surveillance Leads to Arrest
After months of evading capture by constantly changing his location, Anil's run finally ended. "He was finally tracked down with the help of technical surveillance and ground intelligence," the spokesperson explained. The police team located him in Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, where he had been working at a dairy. Following his arrest, Anil was produced before the court and remanded to Jhajjar District Jail.
In recognition of their diligent and successful investigation, the SIT formed by the GRP has been awarded a commendation certificate. The case was registered under the stringent Child Labour Act and other relevant sections of law, highlighting the authorities' commitment to tackling crimes against children.
