Human Trafficking Horror: CBI Saves Bengal Minor Sold Twice For Marriage in Rajasthan

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has rescued a minor girl from West Bengal who was abducted and sold twice for illegal marriage, arresting five accused in connection with the case. The agency suspects the incident may be linked to a larger human trafficking network.

According to NDTV, the girl had been missing from Bardhaman, West Bengal, since August 9, 2023, when she left home for tuition and did not return. She was traced to Pali district in Rajasthan, from where she was rescued on Friday.

Those arrested include Bharat Kumar, Jagdish Kumar, Mena Dapuben, Rata Ram, and Dilip Kumar, the CBI confirmed in its statement on Saturday.

The investigation revealed that the victim was a minor at the time of her disappearance but was portrayed as an adult in affidavits prepared for her marriages. She had been sold twice for marriage. The CBI registered the case on February 16, 2024, following directions from the Calcutta High Court.

Initially, the matter was handled by the local police and later by the West Bengal CID. However, after the girl's mother filed a petition, the High Court transferred the case to the CBI, Kolkata.

Based on intelligence inputs and an analysis of call detail records, investigators developed leads suggesting the girl had been taken to Pali, Rajasthan. A CBI team subsequently visited the district, verified the information, and rescued her from the residence of one of the accused on August 8.

Highlighting the broader concern over crimes against women, a government reply in Parliament citing National Crime Records Bureau data reported that the number of such crimes stood at 3,78,236 in 2018, 4,05,326 in 2019, 3,71,503 in 2020, 4,28,278 in 2021, and 4,45,256 in 2022.