Keonjhar: Police arrested two individuals on Tuesday for allegedly trafficking a 16-year-old orphaned girl for sexual exploitation. The accused, identified as Ranjit Sahoo and Sushila Patra, were apprehended following a complaint from a local shelter home caregiver.
The girl was initially rescued during a raid on Dec 1 in a slum area of Bhubaneswar. She was later transferred to the child welfare committee, Keonjhar, and placed in a shelter.
During counselling sessions, the minor revealed a harrowing tale of exploitation that began a year ago when the accused lured her from her grandmother’s care under the pretext of household work. The girl was first taken to a rented house where she faced sexual abuse.
According to her statements, she was later trafficked to Bhubaneswar by two other suspects, identified as Dolly Swain and Milu, who promised marriage but forced her into sexual exploitation. The girl reportedly underwent two illegal abortions during the period.
“We have arrested the two main accused and are conducting a detailed investigation,” said inspector Srikanta Sahu. The suspects have been charged under various sections of BNS and Section 6 of Pocso Act, 2012.
Child rights activists said the case could unveil a larger trafficking network and have called for a thorough investigation. “The incident might just be the tip of the iceberg in exposing the illegal trafficking of women and children in the region,” said a local activist.
Police are continuing their investigation to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in the trafficking ring.