Notorious human trafficking gang member arrested in Agra

Agra, June 24 (HS): In a major breakthrough, the Crime Branch team has arrested a notorious member of human trafficking gang from Fatehabad Road, Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The accused has been identified as Vishal Singh, involved in human trafficking and sexual exploitation of girls. "Cases were registered against the accused in several sections under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO)," Crime Branch officials said on Saturday.

According to the Crime Branch, a complaint was opened on November 21, 2019, after the complainant reported that her two kids had gone missing from their home in Mayur Vihar Phase-1, Delhi. "During the investigation, the younger daughter (Victim "A") was traced, and it was revealed that both girls were abducted by a gang of human traffickers and sexually abused in Uttam Nagar, Delhi," police stated. Four smugglers were detained based on the younger daughter's statement. "On the basis of victim "A's" allegation, four smugglers were apprehended: 1. Naresh Shailesh Tamchikar, 2. Raju Kumar @ Raj Chowdhary, 3. Shashi Mala @ Ruby, and 4. Kiran. The eldest daughter (victim "B") was later located. "Raids were conducted at all of the main accused Vishal Singh's locations, but the accused could not be found," claimed Crime Branch police.

Vishal Singh was later pronounced a proclaimed criminal by the Court, and was carrying bounty of Rs 50,000 for his arrest. "He was later declared a proclaimed offender by the Delhi High Court in FIR No. 349/2019, 363/342/354/366/370/370A/372/376D/120B/34 IPC, and 6/10 POCSO Act. A reward of Rs 50,000/- has also been announced for his arrest," authorities said. Vishal was wanted in two states: Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. "FIR No. 768/22, Sections 323/504/506/376-D/498-A of the IPC and 3/4 of the POCSO Act, PS Kalyanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh." FIR No. 214/10, Section 324 of the Indian Penal Code, PS Bartola, Kolkata, West Bengal (a proclaimed offender is also involved in this case)," authorities stated. Interrogation revealed that the accused was involved in human trafficking and sexual exploitation of girls.

"He has been evading arrest since 2019 and has been changing hotels, lodges, and houses in various cities across India, Nepal, and Bhutan. He and his cohorts plotted to push the victim females into the flesh trade. To get money, he utilised them as pub dancers and prostitutes. Vishal engaged in physical intercourse with innocent females without their will under the guise of marriage," authorities reported. During questioning, it was also found that both of the victim females were being held by members of his trafficking group in Uttam Nagar, Delhi. "Vishal bought victim "B" from Raju Kumar for Rs.2 lakh and took her to Kolkata for prostitution in 2019."

Hindusthan Samachar/Abhishek Awasthi