Eight individuals, including two couples, have been arrested for allegedly trafficking a 14-year-old girl from Haryana and forcing her into the sex trade. The Mira Bhayander Vasai Virar (MBVV) police announced the arrests on Saturday, revealing that the male accused repeatedly raped the teenager.
Initial Complaint Led to Discovery of Racket
The police uncovered the sex racket while investigating a kidnapping complaint filed in March by one of the key accused, who had posed as the victim's guardian. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-I) Rahul Chavan told PTI that the accused had brought the minor from Ambala to Mumbai under the false pretense of providing her with an education.
How the Case Unfolded
The case began when Sanjay Gupta, a security guard, approached the Navghar police station in Bhayander on March 3. He filed a complaint claiming that the 14-year-old girl under his care had gone missing after stepping out to buy materials for Holi and was likely kidnapped. Acting on a tip-off during the investigation, police tracked down and rescued the teenager from Bhayander in Thane district.
When a woman police officer gained the girl's trust and questioned her, a horrific story of abuse emerged. The girl revealed that Gupta was not her relative. According to DCP Chavan, Gupta had promised the girl's relatives in Ambala that he would take proper care of her and fund her education. Instead, he brought her to Mumbai and forced her into the sex trade.
Victim's Ordeal
The victim told police that she was repeatedly raped by multiple accused, including Gupta, which prompted her to escape from their clutches. Senior Police Inspector Mukund Yadav of the Navghar police station stated that the investigation revealed the minor had been sold for Rs 50,000 for the sex trade. While probing the initial kidnapping case, we stumbled upon this deep-rooted sex racket, Yadav said.
Legal Action
All eight accused have been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita for kidnapping, rape, and sexual intercourse committed under false promise of marriage or employment, along with relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Further investigation is underway, the police added.
