Ludhiana: Eight individuals from a neighboring state are under investigation in a cross-border child trafficking and forced marriage case involving a girl allegedly sold by her father as a toddler. The probe began after the 17-year-old survivor escaped captivity, gave birth, and filed a complaint detailing over a decade of systemic abuse across state lines.
Details of the Case
Police officials state that the survivor's late father allegedly sold her to a family in the neighboring state when she was 2 years old, following a parental separation driven by his severe alcoholism. Upon turning 16, that family allegedly resold her to a second household, where she was forcibly married to the family's son in November 2024.
Pattern of Abuse
The survivor was subsequently moved to a residential area within Ludhiana, where she was subjected to continuous sexual assault and wrongful confinement. Members of the family allegedly threatened her into silence, claiming the marriage granted her husband total authority over her.
Escape and Legal Action
The teenager fled the house in May 2025 to reunite with her biological mother, later having a baby. The suspects subsequently tracked the survivor to her mother's house, issuing continuous threats to coerce her return. Following a formal complaint in late May 2026, authorities in the neighboring state initially registered a "Zero FIR" — a jurisdictional placeholder allowing immediate police action — before transferring the case to Ludhiana for formal registration.
Charges and Investigation
The suspects, who include four women, face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for rape of a minor under 16, wrongful confinement, and criminal intimidation. They are additionally charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
The investigating officer confirmed that local police were tracing the suspects and arrests were expected shortly.
