1 Yr On, Woman Trafficked by Cop Returns Home

Police investigation blows the lid off a wider trafficking network involving multiple brokers and intermediaries

- S RAJA REDDY @ Vadgondi (Asifabad)

"PENDA daya te tirisi vaathom" (Thank God, she came back safely), said Siva (name changed) in Gondi, with a sigh of relief. "No other girl should face such trauma, such hardship, such agony," he added.

Siva was referring to his daughter Asha (name changed) who was finally home, having been rescued from the clutches of traffickers after a year. She was last seen at the Jainoor bus stand, after visiting her sister for Holi in March last year. Her disappearance remained a mystery until recently, when a chance phone call led to her rescue from Madhya Pradesh.

According to her family, Asha was trafficked by a man trusted in the village—60-year-old police constable Kameri Haridas. Known locally for offering farming loans and supplies, Haridas allegedly took Asha to his room in Asifabad, confiscated her phone and jewellery and confined her. She was then sold through a network of brokers operating between Kumurumbheem Asifabad district and Madhya Pradesh for ₹1.3 lakh.