Lucknow Police Bust Inter-State Gang Accused of Selling Minor Girls for Marriage in Rajasthan; Three Arrested

Lucknow, June 5: The Lucknow Police have busted an inter-state trafficking racket allegedly involved in luring minor girls from vulnerable backgrounds and selling them into marriages in Rajasthan. Three people have been arrested in connection with the case, while a juvenile has also been apprehended.

According to police, the gang specifically targeted girls who were orphaned or belonged to economically weaker families. After gaining their trust, the accused allegedly arranged marriages for them in Rajasthan in exchange for money.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Amit Kumar Anand said the case came to light after two minor girls, aged 16 and 12, went missing from Ganihar village in Mohanlalganj on May 12. Their grandmother lodged a complaint alleging that a juvenile relative and a woman identified as Priya Patel had taken the girls away on the pretext of helping them meet their mother.

An FIR was registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), following which police formed four investigation teams, including a plainclothes unit. Investigators reviewed nearly 150 CCTV footage recordings and carried out extensive technical and field surveillance despite the victims' mobile phones being switched off.

The girls were safely rescued on May 18.

During the investigation, police found that the minors had allegedly been taken to Rajasthan with the intention of being sold for marriage. Based on the findings, police arrested Priya Patel alias Sheila (23), Anurag Yadav (25), and Mohammad Akhtar (32) near Atroli Crossing on June 3. A juvenile was also detained.

Police said Priya Patel disclosed during questioning that she came into contact with a woman named Sonam from Kota during a wedding in Raebareli in 2020. Sonam allegedly informed her that girls from poor families could be married off in Rajasthan for money and offered compensation for arranging such marriages.

Investigators revealed that Priya had been living with co-accused Anurag Yadav in a rented accommodation in Raebareli for the past two years. Along with Mohammad Akhtar, the trio allegedly identified vulnerable girls whose families were unlikely to pursue complaints.

The accused reportedly befriended the girls, taking them on outings and providing new clothes before transporting them to Raebareli. There, photographs of the girls were allegedly sent via WhatsApp to Sonam and her husband, Bhupendra Chaudhary, in Kota.

Police said the Rajasthan-based couple would then negotiate payment for arranging the marriages. Priya allegedly told investigators that she received between ₹1 lakh and ₹1.5 lakh for each girl whose marriage was arranged through the network.

Authorities also found evidence suggesting that the accused had previously sent two sisters from Raebareli to the same Rajasthan-based couple for marriage.

In the latest case, Priya allegedly convinced the two minor girls that she would reunite them with their mother, who had been away for several years. The girls were taken to Raebareli, and preparations were underway to send them to Kota when the police investigation led to their rescue.

Police have also seized two vehicles allegedly used in the commission of the crime.

Investigations are continuing to identify and arrest other individuals linked to the network, including the Rajasthan-based associates. Police said further legal action will follow as the probe progresses.