Muzaffarpur: An 18-year-old Class 12 student, who allegedly fell prey to a human trafficking racket after leaving home following an argument with her brother, has been rescued by Muzaffarpur Police after enduring an 85-day ordeal during which she was allegedly sold twice, physically assaulted, and sexually exploited.
The student, a resident of the Gayghat police station area in Muzaffarpur district, had gone missing on May 10 after leaving home upset over a reprimand from her brother. Her family lodged an FIR alleging kidnapping on May 12. Although suspicion initially fell on a local youth, police later ruled out his involvement during the investigation.
Lured From Railway Station With Promise of a Job
According to police, the survivor told investigators that she had been sitting alone and crying at Muzaffarpur Junction railway station when a man approached her, offered sympathy, and promised her a well-paying job in Kolkata.
Trusting him, she travelled with the accused but was allegedly trafficked and sold into a red-light area soon after reaching Kolkata.
Allegedly Sold Twice, Subjected to Abuse
In her statement to police, the survivor alleged that when she resisted, she was beaten, deprived of food for several days, administered sedatives, and repeatedly sexually assaulted.
About a month later, she was allegedly sold again to another red-light area in Sivanpur under Ishipur Barahat police station limits in Bhagalpur district, where the abuse continued. Police said traffickers were preparing to sell her to a third location when she was rescued.
Photo Leads Police to Victim
On the instructions of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kantesh Kumar Mishra, a special investigation team was formed to trace the missing student.
Investigating Officer Pooja Kumari led searches across multiple districts. Police circulated the student’s photograph to possible trafficking hotspots and activated their intelligence network.
Two days ago, police received information that a girl matching the photograph was being held inside a house in the Sivanpur red-light area of Bhagalpur. Acting on the tip-off, the special team reached the location, conducted surveillance, identified the house, and launched a raid.
Woman Officer Confronts Traffickers During Rescue
Police said the rescue operation met with stiff resistance from suspected traffickers, leading to a physical confrontation. During the operation, Investigating Officer Pooja Kumari reportedly had to draw her service pistol in self-defence as tensions escalated.
After nearly 52 minutes, the police successfully rescued the student. During the operation, officers also found another teenage girl from Nalanda allegedly being held captive. She appealed to the police for help and was also rescued.
Investigation Into Trafficking Network Continues
Both girls were brought to Muzaffarpur. The rescued student’s statement was recorded before a court, where she expressed her desire to live with her elder sister. Authorities have initiated the process of handing her over to her family.
Police have also informed Nalanda Police regarding the rescued minor from that district.
SDPO (East-I) Alay Vats said the girl had gone missing on May 10, and an FIR for kidnapping was registered on May 12. He said police had been conducting continuous raids since then, eventually leading to the successful rescue.
Police are now working to identify and arrest other members of the human trafficking network and uncover the wider interstate racket behind the crime.
