LUCKNOW: Lucknow police on Thursday busted an inter-state child trafficking racket that allegedly “sold” minor girls from Uttar Pradesh for up to Rs 1.5 lakh each under the guise of marriage in Rajasthan. Three accused, including a woman, and a juvenile have been arrested, while efforts are on to nab key handlers operating out of Rajasthan.The racket came to light following a missing complaint filed on May 12 by Kamlesha, a resident of Ganiyar village in Mohanlalganj, who reported that her two granddaughters, aged 16 and 12, had gone missing after being promised better lives and meeting their estranged mothers. Given the involvement of minors, four teams were tasked with the operation and deployed a plainclothes unit. Police scanned nearly 150 CCTV footages and relied on technical surveillance and field intelligence. Despite the girls’ mobile phones being switched off, police traced their movement to Rae Bareli, identifying a juvenile relative and Priya Patel as key suspects. The girls were rescued safely on May 18.Statements recorded under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita revealed a disturbing pattern — the victims were being taken to Rajasthan to be sold for forced marriages.Acting on evidence, police arrested Anurag Yadav (25), Mohammad Akhtar (32), and Priya Patel alias Sheila (23), along with a 17-year-old juvenile, from Atrauli crossing on June 3.Additional DCP (South) Vasanth Kumar Rallapalli, said that interrogation with them revealed that the network was operating between Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan since 2020. Priya allegedly established contact with a Kota-based woman, Sonam, who introduced her to the lucrative “marriage trade” involving vulnerable girls. Over time, Priya, along with her live-in partner Anurag and associate Akhtar, began targeting orphaned or economically weak minors.“The accused specifically chose girls who had little family support and were less likely to approach police,” an officer said.The gang allegedly lured victims with promises of a better life, job, outings, gifts. In the present case, they exploited family links, convincing the girls they would be taken to meet their estranged mother. Trusting them, the girls accompanied the accused.They were first taken to Rae Bareli, provided new clothes, and photographed. The images were then shared via WhatsApp with Sonam and her husband, Bhupendra Chaudhary, in Rajasthan. Once “approved”, deals were negotiated.Police said the girls were to be transported to Bambori in Kota district, where marriages would be arranged in exchange for money. During questioning, Priya allegedly confessed to receiving Rs 1.5 lakh per girl.Investigators have also uncovered evidence suggesting that two sisters from Rae Bareli were earlier trafficked to the same network. Efforts are on to identify and trace other victims. Police have seized two four-wheelers used in transporting girls across districts.Additional DCP (South) Vasanth Kumar Rallapalli said the racket was highly organised and operated with clear roles across states. “Swift rescue of the victims and arrests were possible due to coordinated fieldwork and technical tracking. Our focus is now on arresting Rajasthan-based handlers and identifying more victims,” he said.Raids are being conducted to nab Sonam and Bhupendra Chaudhary, believed to be key links in arranging the illegal marriages. Police said further investigation is underway to uncover the full scale of the network.
