A local restaurant owner in Silchar was produced before a court on Thursday and remanded in 15-day judicial custody under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and anti-trafficking laws. Udharbond police in Cachar district registered a case after three young women, including a 16-year-old minor, were rescued from the restaurant's premises late Tuesday night.
Mother's Complaint Leads to Rescue
The police action followed an official FIR filed by the mother of the missing minor. She alleged that her daughter had been held captive at the hotel since March 2026 and forced into illicit activities. The mother claimed the establishment functioned as a hub for commercial sexual exploitation and immoral trafficking under the accused's direct supervision.
Legal Provisions Invoked
Additional SP (Cachar) Rajat Kumar Pal confirmed that the investigation has escalated significantly. Authorities have invoked Sections 96 and 127 of the BNS, along with Sections 4 and 17 of the Pocso Act. To address the allegations of organized exploitation, multiple sections of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, have also been applied. Community members reportedly played a key role in uncovering the illegal operations. During a press briefing, an anchalik panchayat member expressed strong public support for the police and demanded a thorough investigation into the hotel's history of alleged misconduct.
Wider Investigation into Fraudulent Medical Certificates
The probe is expected to extend beyond trafficking. ASP Pal revealed that the accused was previously linked to a case involving fraudulent medical certificates and documents, which allegedly allowed unqualified individuals to pose as registered medical practitioners. Police have assured a rigorous investigation into the multilayered racket. “We are conducting a comprehensive and strict investigation,” ASP Pal said. “We are looking into every aspect, including the medical credential reports. We will ensure the law is applied strictly and all involved are held accountable.”
