Charminar Crime

International Human Trafficking case stalls: Key conspirators elude Hyderabad police

International Human Trafficking case stalls: Key conspirators elude Hyderabad police

Hyderabad: Almost two months after the international human trafficking for sexual exploitation case was busted by Santosh Nagar police, the investigation hit a roadblock with police yet to arrest two key conspirators. The probe revealed that the key conspirators allegedly played a major role in trafficking women from Bangladesh to India and creating fake Aadhaar cards.

On 18 August 2024, acting on credible information that a woman illegally entered India and was staying in Gulshan Iqbal Colony of Santosh Nagar area, Santosh Nagar police raided the premises and arrested a woman who claimed to be a Bangladeshi national. She disclosed her identity as a 22-year-old from Bangladesh. What began as a routine police raid exposed a cross-border trafficking of women for sexual exploitation.

Facebook friendship turned sour

Investigation revealed that the Bangladeshi national met a person ‘Mahi’ on Facebook. When she explained her financial problems, Mahi invited her to India with promises of lucrative opportunities in India’s beauty parlors and better money. Further, Mahi also assured to help her enter India illegally without a visa and passport.

In October 2023, she entered India illegally without proper VISA and Passport documents with the help of Bangladeshi agents and Mahi. After crossing the border, she met Goutham, sent by Mahi, who took her to Kolkata who helped in creating a fake Aadhar card with her photo using the name Priyanka Rani Roy. Goutham then sent her to Hyderabad. After reaching Hyderabad, she stayed with Mahi at Langar House.

Long arms of law yet to reach ‘Mahi’

“Mahi exploited her sexually and sent her for prostitution through agents for needy customers. Further probe revealed that Mahi didn’t pay money to Bangladeshi national. Following which she met Mahi’s friends Narender Kumar alias Yasmeen, Reshma Begum alias Shaheen, and Shaik Sohail who helped her find work in beauty parlours. However, the Bangladeshi woman’s earnings were insufficient, and they exploited her sexually and sent her for prostitution through agents for needy customers. Shaheen arranged her stay in Santosh Nagar, Hyderabad,” said police.

Santosh Nagar police booked a case under various sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Foreigners Act 1946 against the accused including the Bangladeshi woman and started an investigation.

As the Bangladeshi national, Narender Kumar, Reshma Begum, and Shaik Sohail are lodged in jail and desperately trying for bail, Hyderabad police continue to pursue the missing links in this chain of exploitation. Two key conspirators believed to be instrumental in the trafficking operation and creation of fake Aadhar cards, remain at large.