26 Minors Rescued from Antyodaya Express in Suspected Child Trafficking Case 

Ujjain-Nagda joint operation foils alleged attempt to traffic minors to Ahmedabad for labour; probe focuses on four suspects and exact intent

In a swift late-night operation, authorities rescued 26 minor children from the Antyodaya Express amid suspicions of child trafficking. The train, reportedly heading towards Ahmedabad in Gujarat, was halted at Ujjain and then at Nagda railway stations on Thursday night after the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) received specific intelligence.

According to officials, the tip-off suggested that around 100 children were being transported from Muzaffarnagar area for possible work in Gujarat. Acting immediately, teams from four police stations in Ujjain, along with Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), Labour Department, and Women and Child Development officials were put on alert.

The operation began around 11 pm when the train reached Ujjain station. Teams conducted searches and questioned over 50 children and accompanying adults for nearly half an hour. Initial checks led to the rescue of four minors. However, the train departed before the search could be completed.

Coordinated Action at Two Stations

City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Deepika Shinde, who led the effort, promptly alerted Nagda station. The train was stopped there, and a fresh round of intensive checking continued for about an hour. This yielded 22 more minors, bringing the total to 26 children rescued.

Local authorities confirmed that all rescued children are minors, with at least two aged below 14 years. They have been handed over to the Ujjain GRP and placed under the care of the local Child Welfare Committee for now. Efforts are underway to contact their families and determine the next course of action.

Sources familiar with the matter said the children appeared to be from outside Madhya Pradesh, and initial questioning revealed mixed statements. While police suspect they were being taken for labour in Gujarat, some children mentioned going to places like Somnath for a visit. Such conflicting accounts have deepened the probe.

Labour Department Input and Ongoing Probe

Assistant Labour Commissioner Rakhi Joshi stated that intelligence indicated four individuals were escorting over 100 minors towards Gujarat. “We are ascertaining the exact purpose and identifying those responsible,” she added.

The search operation extended until around 3 am, reflecting the urgency shown by multiple departments working in coordination. No immediate arrests were reported from the spot, but investigations are continuing to trace the handlers and verify documents—or the lack of them.

This incident comes weeks after a similar large-scale rescue in Madhya Pradesh. In April, authorities in Katni intercepted over 160 minor boys from the Patna-Pune Express, suspecting trafficking from Bihar towards Maharashtra for labour. In that case, eight persons were booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for child trafficking.

Rising Concern Over Interstate Child Movement

Child rights activists and officials have repeatedly highlighted the vulnerability of minors during interstate travel, especially on long-distance trains where groups often travel without adequate paperwork or parental consent. Railways remain a preferred route for such movements due to relatively lower scrutiny in crowded general or sleeper coaches.

In Ujjain and Nagda, the prompt action prevented the children from travelling further. Senior officers said the rescued minors are being counselled and provided necessary care. Their statements are being recorded carefully, keeping in mind their age and the sensitivity of the case.

District authorities are also cross-checking with Muzaffarnagar and other possible source areas to map the network, if any. The Labour Department is examining possible violations of child labour laws, while CWC will decide on rehabilitation and repatriation once family details are verified.

Public Alert and Future Steps

Railway officials have been asked to remain vigilant on similar routes, particularly trains heading towards Gujarat and Maharashtra from northern states. Regular checks during night hours and better coordination between RPF, GRP, and district child protection units are likely to be strengthened.

For now, the 26 children are safe in Ujjain. Their rescue underscores both the risks faced by vulnerable minors and the effectiveness of timely intelligence-sharing among agencies. The full picture—whether this was organised trafficking for labour, migration for other purposes, or something else—will emerge only after detailed investigation.

Police and CWC teams continue questioning and documentation work. Further updates are expected as more details about the accompanying adults and their intentions surface in the coming days.