Six held as police bust interstate child trafficking network in Rajasthan; 10 rescued

Authorities in Rajasthan's Jhalawar district have dismantled an interstate human trafficking network, rescuing ten minor girls who were allegedly being sold for prostitution. Six individuals have been arrested in connection with the operation, which targeted impoverished families.

According to Jhalawar superintendent of police Amit Kumar, the gang preyed on poor families, often from the Kanjar community, purchasing girls at a very young age. The children were reportedly held until they were around 11 years old before being sold for significant sums in cities like Mumbai and various districts within Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Most of the rescued girls are between four and five years old.

“

The children were kept under the gang’s control until they reached around 11 years of age, after which they were sold for prostitution in cities such as Mumbai for lakhs of rupees.

Investigators revealed that the traffickers lured families with promises of jobs for their daughters and financial assistance, often executing written agreements. These agreements included clauses for loan waivers under certain conditions, but demanded double or triple the amount if a girl escaped. Brokers allegedly pocketed the majority of the profits, with minimal amounts going to the girls' families.

The gang employed a disturbing tactic of using forged Aadhaar cards to disguise the minor girls as adults over 18. The arrested accused include Ramkanya Bai, identified as the alleged kingpin, along with Bhim Shankar Kanjar, Ankush Kanjar, Ramesh Kanjar, and Sanni Kanjar. Police are actively searching for three absconding suspects: Mohammed Hanif, Anwar Sheikh, and Rajesh Dable. The arrested individuals have been remanded to five days of police custody.

“

Most of the rescued girls are between four and five years old.