Woman arrested in Bangladeshi minor trafficking case

A woman from Baripada has been arrested in connection with the trafficking of a Bangladeshi minor into sex trade, informed Cuttack DCP Jagmohan Meena on Saturday.

With this, the total number of arrests has increased to four.

While the Commissionerate Police is planning to conduct an identification parade of the arrested woman soon, it has corresponded with the Bangladeshi High Commission concerning the repatriation of the minor.

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“The minor was in Baripada for about 15 days. The process for her deportation is underway. In this connection, we have written to the Bangladeshi High Commission and the Ministry of External Affairs,” said the Cuttack DCP.  

Should it become necessary, coordination may occur with Kolkata Police, he added.

“Earlier three persons were arrested. Yesterday, a 44-year-old woman was arrested. We have gathered evidence that she had engaged the minor in prostitution. After arrest, she was produced in a court. We will also conduct a TI parade of her. A mobile phone has been seized from her,” said Meena.

“As we are gathering evidence, we are taking action. In the coming days, we will take action against anyone on the basis of evidence,” he added.

The investigation is still in progress, and more arrests may follow. The arrested woman’s mobile phone has been confiscated and is currently being scrutinized for potential evidence.

It has been alleged that the minor was initially brought to Bhubaneswar under the pretext of employment and subsequently relocated to different areas for exploitation in the sex trade.