Traffickers sell woman for 10 lakh; three arrested in Ahmedabad

Share this

Following a rap by Gujarat high court (HC) directing police to act in an alleged case of human trafficking, women cell of the city crime branch on Friday night arrested three including two women for allegedly selling off a 25-year-old woman in marriage to a Himmatnagar-based youth for Rs 10 lakhs.

Police have arrested Meena Mishra running a dance class in Isanpur area of Ahmedabad, her friend Rita Bangali and Ishwar Malhotra.

"There are 10 other accused in the case including Sanjay Patel, a 35-year old bachelor, to whom the woman was sold and forcibly married after money allegedly exchanged hands. Sanjay's uncle Dr Dixit Patel had allegedly given the girl medicine for abortion. He is also an accused," said assistant commissioner of police, women cell, Kanan Desai.

The victim has also alleged that she was confined and raped for one month by Sanjay. The woman belonged to the minority community and had changed her religion after she fell for a Hindu boy. She was also living with the boy's sister in Isanpur. In fact, she is reported to have continued living with her even after the boy broke up with her.

"The complainant has alleged that the boy's sister was in touch with Meena for the past few years. Meena was contacted by agents Vijay and Gunjesh to find a girl for Sanjay who was not being able to find a bride in his community. They promised handsome remuneration. This is a social manifestation of skewed sex ratio in Gujarat where many men are unable to find brides in their own community," said a police official. Meena convinced the boy's sister and lured her to send the victim with her for marriage.

The girl has alleged that she was sold off to Sanjay who married her forcibly. "The victim has alleged that she was then confined and raped for one month. Later, when she became pregnant Sanjay's uncle Dr Patel gave her abortion tablets," said the official.

The victim later escaped from the custody of her tormentors and approached a lawyer who took her to different police agencies. "However, as no action was taken we were compelled to knock the doors of Gujarat high court which directed women cell to file an FIR," said advocate Zahid Pathan.