Indore Child Marriage Racket Busted, Four Arrested in ₹3 Lakh Trafficking Case

Police in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, have arrested four persons for allegedly orchestrating the illegal marriage of a 15-year-old girl after falsifying her identity and accepting Rs 3 lakh from the groom's family, officials said on Monday. The case has exposed an alleged human trafficking racket operating under the guise of marriage.

The investigation began after the teenage girl was reported missing from the jurisdiction of Banganga police station. During the probe, police recorded the victim's statement and gathered evidence that pointed to a wider trafficking network.

According to Banganga police station in-charge Siyaram Gurjar, investigators discovered that the girl's Aadhaar card had been tampered with to falsely show her age as 21 years, concealing the fact that she was a minor. Police alleged that two men exploited the girl's family's financial distress by promising her an opportunity to earn money and purchase a house, eventually persuading her to leave with them.

Officials said the accused then posed as the girl's relatives and arranged her marriage to a man whose family allegedly paid Rs 3 lakh as part of the deal. Police believe the payment was made in exchange for facilitating the marriage, turning the case into a suspected instance of human trafficking and child exploitation.

Following the investigation, authorities arrested the groom, his father, and two other accused for their alleged roles in the conspiracy. Police said the arrests were made based on evidence collected during the probe and the victim's testimony.

Meanwhile, five more suspects believed to be associated with the trafficking network remain absconding. Search operations are underway to trace and apprehend them. Police said further investigations are in progress to determine the full extent of the racket and identify any additional victims or accomplices connected to the case.