Hyderabad: 8 Arrested in Major POCSO and Trafficking Bust
Tolichowki police arrest eight people, including three women, for kidnapping a minor and forcing her into prostitution in an inter-district racket.
In a major crackdown on organized crime, the Tolichowki police have dismantled an inter-district human trafficking and prostitution racket. The operation resulted in the apprehension of eight individuals, including three women, following the harrowing kidnapping and exploitation of a minor girl.
The Escape That Exposed the Racket
The dark reality of this criminal network came to light through the bravery of the victim. On October 5, the minor girl managed to flee from a brothel located in Attapur. After reaching her home and informing her family, a formal complaint was lodged with the Tolichowki police, triggering a massive investigation.
The police launched a swift operation led by DCP Golconda Zone J Raghavendar Reddy and ACP Tolichowki Division Syed Fiaz. Within just 24 hours of the investigation intensifying, a team headed by Station House Officer L Ramesh Naik tracked down and arrested all eight suspects on October 9.
A Calculated Kidnapping and Sale
According to police investigations, the nightmare began on September 2. The primary accused, Shaik Atif, allegedly used his auto-rickshaw to kidnap the minor from the Tolichowki area and transport her to Attapur.
The investigation revealed a chilling chain of custody:
- The Lure: Atif handed the girl over to Afreen (alias Sana) and Samreen Begum, who reportedly used the promise of food and shelter to manipulate the child.
- The Sale: The victim was then handed over to Sabiya Begum for a sum of Rs 30,000. This money was allegedly split between Atif, Sana, and Samreen.
- The Exploitation: Sabiya Begum operated a brothel near Pillar Number 200 in Attapur, where she forced the minor into prostitution. When the girl pleaded for her freedom, she was cruelly told she had been "bought" for money.
Facilitators and Legal Action
The police identified three other men—Md Nadeem, Md Kaifuddin, and Ali Bin Akram—who allegedly served as facilitators by managing clients at the brothel to sustain the illegal operations.
The accused have been booked under several stringent laws, including:
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): For charges related to kidnapping and rape.
- POCSO Act: Protection of Children from Sexual Offences.
- ITPA: The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.
During the arrests, authorities seized six mobile phones and the auto-rickshaw used to facilitate the initial kidnapping. All eight suspects are currently being produced before a local court as the police continue their investigation into the wider network.