Police in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district busted an alleged sex trafficking racket operating from two residential properties during coordinated raids on Thursday. Four people, including two women accused of running the establishments, were arrested, while two minor girls were rescued and later reunited with their families after counselling.

The action was carried out by teams from Kotwali Police Station, Jutmill Police Station and the Cyber Cell following specific intelligence inputs about illegal activities at the two locations.

Decoy Customer Helped Crack the Case

According to police, information was received that commercial sexual exploitation was being carried out from a house in the Danipara area near Laltanki under the Kotwali police station limits.

To verify the information, police first sent a decoy customer to the premises. After receiving a pre-arranged signal confirming the alleged activity, officers conducted a raid.

During the operation, police arrested Laxmi Sharma (46), alleged to be operating the premises, and Rishabh Sharma (24), who was present as a customer.

Police also recovered cash, mobile phones and other material believed to be connected with the alleged offence.

Two Minor Girls Rescued

During the search, officers found two minor girls in separate rooms of the house.

The girls were rescued, provided counselling and later handed over to their families in accordance with legal procedures.

During questioning, the accused woman allegedly told investigators that she had been operating the illegal activity from her house for the past one to two years by bringing women to the premises and sharing a portion of the money received from customers.

Second Raid Conducted in Mitthumuda

In a parallel operation, police teams raided another house near Durga Chowk in Mitthumuda under the Jutmill police station limits.

As in the first case, a decoy customer was sent to verify the information before officers entered the premises.

Police arrested Sunita Mehar (48), alleged to be running the operation, along with Abhay Singh (42), who was present as a customer. Material related to the alleged prostitution racket was also seized during the search.

Two women found at the premises reportedly informed investigators that they had been brought there for commercial sexual exploitation.

Cases Registered Under Relevant Laws

Police have registered separate cases against the accused under provisions of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITPA).

In the first case, provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act have also been invoked because minors were found at the location.

All four accused were produced before a local court on Friday and were subsequently remanded to judicial custody.

Police said the investigation is continuing to identify any additional persons connected with the alleged trafficking network and to determine whether the racket has links beyond the two locations.

The Chhattisgarh High Court has directed that the counselling report of a 12-year-old girl, allegedly sexually assaulted while living with her foster sister and brother-in-law in Baikunthpur, be submitted in a sealed cover. The court has also ordered that the girl and her nine-year-old brother remain under the care of child welfare authorities until the next hearing scheduled for July 2.

The matter reached the High Court after the girl's foster elder sister filed a habeas corpus petition, claiming that the two children had been unlawfully kept by child protection authorities. During the proceedings, however, the state informed the court that the children had been placed under protective care following serious allegations of physical abuse and sexual assault.

According to official records presented before the court, the nine-year-old boy is currently housed at the Child Welfare Centre in Baikunthpur, Koriya district, while the 12-year-old girl has been shifted to a government girls' home in Ambikapur for her safety.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal directed the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to produce both children before the court during the hearing.

The state informed the Bench that the siblings, who had lost their parents, had been living with a woman they regarded as their elder sister and her husband. During their stay, the children were allegedly subjected to physical and mental abuse. Unable to bear the alleged harassment, they reportedly fled the house and sought shelter with an acquaintance.

The matter was subsequently reported to the police and the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), which arranged counselling for the children and placed them under protection.

During the counselling sessions, the girl allegedly disclosed that her foster brother-in-law had sexually assaulted her. Authorities also learned that her younger brother had allegedly been subjected to repeated abuse. Based on the complaint, police registered a case against the accused and arrested him. The investigation is continuing.

While hearing the matter, the High Court observed that the welfare and psychological well-being of the children must remain the highest priority. In compliance with the court's directions, Koriya Collector Roktima Yadav, Ambikapur Additional Collector Ram Singh Thakur and officials of the Women and Child Development Department produced the siblings before the Bench.

The court directed that the counselling of the children be conducted at the State Judicial Academy instead of inside the courtroom. The sessions were held under the supervision of senior advocate Naushina Ali, Director of the State Judicial Academy.

Following the interaction with the children, the counsellor has been instructed to submit her findings to the High Court in a sealed envelope. Until further orders, both siblings will continue to stay in child welfare institutions to ensure their safety and well-being.

The case will come up for further hearing on July 2, when the High Court is expected to consider the sealed counselling report and decide the next course of action.

Special judge calls it 'rarest of rare' case; accused sexually assaulted 3.5-year-old, stuffed pants 21 cm into her mouth to suffocate her

The Pune District and Sessions Court on Monday sentenced 65-year-old Bhimrao Kamble to death for the rape and murder of a three-and-a-half-year-old toddler in Nasrapur, Bhor taluka of Pune district. Special Judge S.R. Salunkhe delivered the verdict, making it one of Maharashtra's fastest-concluded capital punishment cases, with the judgment pronounced just 60 days after the crime.

On June 25, the court had found Kamble guilty but reserved its decision on sentencing. While pronouncing the death sentence on Monday, the judge made a series of strong observations on the brutality of the crime, describing it as a "rarest of rare" case warranting the maximum punishment.

'Even hanging is insufficient for such a demon'

While reading out the verdict, Special Judge S.R. Salunkhe severely criticized the cruelty of the accused in harsh words.

"The accused left no option for the little girl to survive. He subjected her to inhuman torture, and not only that, but even after the murder he sexually assaulted her dead body. Even the death penalty is insufficient for such a demon."

"There were as many as 18 wounds on the girl's body. To suffocate her, her pants were stuffed 21 centimeters into her mouth. The helpless girl endured unbearable pain."

The judge noted that the accused had "crossed the level of reform long ago." Looking at his past history—previously at the age of 53, he had attempted to assault a girl in the family and an elderly person as well—he has no remorse whatsoever. "This incident falls into the 'rarest of rare' category."

Supreme Court precedents cited

Special Public Prosecutor Ajay Misar cited 12 judgments of the Supreme Court to argue for the death penalty. All these judgments had similarities with the Nasrapur incident.

While delivering the final verdict, the judges cited the 'Nirbhaya case', 'Bashar Ali case', 'Shankar Khade case' and 'Bachan Singh versus State of Punjab' cases.

"A murder committed with a calm mind after conspiracy, the cruelty in the crime and the shock to society caused by this incident—all these factors qualify for the death penalty. This act committed with a helpless girl child to satisfy one's own lust is inhuman," the court clarified.

Police investigation praised

During the verdict, the court profusely praised the work of the police and investigation agencies.

"Within just 16 days of the crime occurring, the police filed a strong charge sheet. Even during the summer vacation, the court gave full time to this case. 55 witnesses were examined. The doctor, cyber experts, and forensic team did commendable work. The police deserve congratulations for conducting an excellent investigation."

"Getting such speedy justice is a dream, which is not possible in all cases. However, the teamwork in this case and the follow-up by the special government lawyers is an ideal example for everyone," said the judge.

Age plea rejected

During the hearing, the issue of the accused's advancing age was raised on his behalf. The defense requested that a lenient sentence be given instead of death penalty considering his age. However, the court did not accept this argument.

Shocking medical report

According to the medical report presented by the prosecution, the accused sexually assaulted the toddler with extreme brutality. Not only that, but the prosecution made a serious claim that the assault continued even after her death. The findings in this report had triggered a wave of outrage across the entire state.

Crime timeline

On May 1, in Nasrapur, the accused allegedly assaulted and murdered the toddler over a period of approximately 39 minutes. After this incident, anger was expressed throughout the state including Pune. Protests took place at various locations and demands were made for strict punishment.

Fast-track trial

The state government took serious cognizance of this case and decided to conduct the trial in a Fast Track Court. The Pune Rural Police filed the chargesheet in just 16 days. Testimonies of more than 55 witnesses were recorded and various technical evidence including CCTV footage was also presented.

What happened during the previous hearing?

During the previous hearing, Special Judge S.R. Salunkhe found Kamble guilty. After the crime was proven, the judge made the accused stand directly in the dock and asked him point-blank, "Remember that incident and tell me yourself what punishment should be given to you?" In response, the accused tried to defend himself and attempted to fabricate a false story of an accident.

Society's reaction

This incident had extremely serious and far-reaching effects on society. An enraged crowd, in a sentiment of lost faith in the law, blocked the Mumbai-Bangalore highway demanding that the accused be handed over to them. With this verdict, there is a feeling that the accused has received the highest punishment for his cruel act under charges of kidnapping, assault and murder as well as POCSO laws.

Heavy police deployment was stationed outside the Pune District and Sessions Court. A large crowd of citizens also gathered in the court premises.

Victims' mothers allege FIR delay, evidence tampering, VIP treatment for suspect

Chocolate Lure, Rope Restraints

Two seven-year-old girls were allegedly raped by a 17-year-old neighbour in the Sirgitti police station area of Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, in a case that has now spiralled into a serious police misconduct controversy. According to the victims' families, the accused had been luring the children with chocolate for several days before family members caught him in the act on May 27. During the assaults, the accused reportedly tied the girls with rope to restrain them.

The accused was eventually arrested on May 29 — two days after he was caught — but the families say the delay was only the beginning of a larger pattern of negligence and alleged cover-up by local police.

FIR Filed Only After Senior Officers Stepped In

Despite the family reporting the incident promptly, the Sirgitti police station did not register an FIR immediately. The victims' families spent hours moving between the police station and senior officials before a report was finally filed — and only after the intervention of higher-ranking officers. The mothers of the two girls allege that during this critical window, the station in-charge and investigating officers were focused not on arresting the accused but on mediating with his mother.

According to one of the victims' mothers, the accused's family even offered police a sum of Rs 10,000 to 20,000 during this period. She alleged that officers were receptive to the overture and that pressure was subsequently applied on the victim's family to settle the matter out of court.

Evidence Left Uncollected

In a particularly damaging allegation, the family says police were immediately informed about physical evidence connected to the assault — including rope and other items at the scene. Despite this, the Sirgitti police reportedly made no effort to seize or preserve this material. The family fears crucial forensic evidence may now be destroyed or contaminated as a result of this inaction.

A medical examination of the two girls confirmed pain and physical indicators consistent with the alleged assault. Despite this, sources close to the family say police appear to be working to weaken the case rather than build it. The accused's medical examination, they allege, was recorded as "nil."

Accused Gets VIP Treatment, Victims Sit in the Sun

The family's account paints a disturbing picture of the atmosphere inside the police station. While they were allegedly made to wait in the heat outside, the accused's mother was reportedly seated comfortably inside and allowed repeated family visits. The victims' family has named Station In-charge Abhay Singh Bais, Sub-Inspector Sheetal Prasad Tripathi and Investigating Officer Santoshi Agarwal as those allegedly responsible for shielding the accused.

Threats from the accused's side have reportedly continued even after the arrest, creating what the family described as an atmosphere of fear for the girls and their relatives.

Seven Demands Before SSP

The families have met Bilaspur SSP Rajnesh Singh to formally register their grievances. A letter has also been sent to the Union Home Minister. Their demands include transfer of the named officers, an independent investigation by a senior official, immediate security cover for the two families, seizure of all crime-scene evidence, and accountability proceedings for those responsible for the FIR delay and alleged evidence lapse.

They have also asked that the three named officials be kept entirely away from this case until any departmental inquiry is concluded.

Background: Related Case in Raipur

The Bilaspur case surfaces amid broader concerns about child safety in Chhattisgarh. In a separate incident in Raipur, a 65-year-old man identified as Abdul Sajjad Ansari was accused of raping a nine-year-old girl over five consecutive days after luring her with chocolate. Authorities in that case subsequently demolished the accused's illegally constructed shop. Both cases raise questions about the vulnerability of young children in residential neighbourhoods and the adequacy of immediate police response.

The Bilaspur case now awaits action from senior officials. Whether the SSP intervenes decisively — or the matter is quietly buried — will determine whether justice reaches two seven-year-old girls in Sirgitti.

They Were Promised Jobs. They Were Given Chains.

She was told there was work in Chhattisgarh. Good work. Regular pay. A chance to send money home to her family in West Bengal's 24 Parganas, where the tea garden had closed and the men had stopped finding daily wages. She packed what little she had and trusted the person who made the promise.

That person sold her.

On the night of March 11, 2026, Bhilai's Smriti Nagar Police and the Women's Protection Team conducted a raid on a rented house in Vidya Vihar Colony, Nehru Nagar — acting on specific intelligence that a sex racket had been operating from the premises for the past three months. The raid uncovered a lodging-based operation where young women were being commercially exploited under the control of organised traffickers. A female ringleader, a client found on the premises, and eight girls were apprehended. The accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956. The rescued victims have been taken into protective custody and handed over to a women's shelter for medical aid and counselling. The Sunday Guardian

Eight girls. One ringleader. Three months of exploitation in a rented house in a residential colony. And behind each of those eight girls, a story that almost certainly started the same way — with a promise, a bus ticket, and a stranger who knew exactly what they were doing.

How the Operation Worked: Three Months in a Rented House

The architecture of the Bhilai racket is textbook inter-state trafficking — and that is precisely what makes it so difficult to dismantle.

The racket was operating in a rented house in Vidya Vihar Colony in the Nehru Nagar area of Bhilai, with girls brought in from West Bengal and several districts of Chhattisgarh itself. The female ringleader managed the operation from within the premises. Police acting on a tip-off sent a decoy, confirmed the racket's existence, and then moved in — catching the ringleader and a client in compromising circumstances along with the eight women. Al Jazeera

The choice of a rented residential house — rather than a lodge, spa, or commercial establishment — reflects how these networks have adapted to police surveillance in recent years. A residential colony provides cover. Neighbours do not ask questions. The racket runs quietly, invisibly, for months.

Three months. In a colony. In a city. With no intervention — until someone talked.

Why West Bengal, Why Chhattisgarh, Why Always the Same Pattern

This is not the first time West Bengal and Chhattisgarh have appeared in the same trafficking headline. It will not be the last. The route between these two states is one of the most heavily trafficked corridors in India's human exploitation network — and understanding why requires understanding both ends of the chain.

At the supply end: West Bengal's North and South 24 Parganas districts, areas around closed tea gardens in the Dooars belt, and economically distressed rural pockets produce a steady stream of young women who are desperately vulnerable to false promises. Shakti Vahini, a pan-India anti-trafficking NGO, estimates that out of every ten girls rescued from brothels and red light areas across the country, seven are from Bengal's North and South 24 Parganas districts. The Sunday Guardian

The traffickers know exactly where to look. They maintain networks of local recruiters — often women themselves, sometimes community members or even distant relatives — who identify targets and make the initial approach. The promise is always work. The destination is always somewhere far enough away that escape is almost impossible.

At the demand end: Bhilai is an industrial steel city. It has a large migrant male workforce, a significant cash economy, high anonymity, and well-established transport links. It has been a destination zone for trafficking networks for decades. The combination of industrial demand and geographic accessibility makes it operationally attractive for organised exploitation.

An organised human trafficking network operating in North Bengal specifically targeting young women from areas near several closed tea gardens has emerged as a major challenge for police. Traffickers are frequently changing their modes of transportation, and investigators are also probing the involvement of fake voluntary and non-governmental organisations which had been running offices in vulnerable areas, posing as organisations promising social and economic welfare. The Sunday Guardian

The system is sophisticated. The families are complicit — not out of malice, but out of desperation. Cash is regularly sent back to families so that traffickers can pick up more girls. The Sunday Guardian By the time a family realises their daughter is not at a textile factory or a domestic job, she is already hundreds of kilometres away with no documents and no way out.

The Legal Framework: Strong on Paper, Weak in Practice

India's laws against trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation are, on paper, comprehensive.

The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 — the primary legal instrument — allows for prosecution of brothel operators, recruiters, pimps, and those who profit from trafficking. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita's trafficking provisions add further teeth. POCSO provides additional protection for minors. And the government has established Anti-Human Trafficking Units across multiple states to coordinate inter-agency responses.

The reality is considerably less reassuring.

Between 2018 and 2022, more than 10,000 trafficking cases were registered in India — yet the conviction rate was just 19.4% in 2022. Anti-Human Trafficking Units have been established in several states, but their impact has been limited — in some hotspots, only three out of 198 trafficking cases led to convictions over a decade. The Sunday Guardian

The criminals know the numbers. Low conviction rates are not a flaw in the system from their perspective — they are a feature. The risk-reward calculation of running an inter-state sex racket in India, even today, remains deeply favourable to the traffickers.

A further systemic failure: after rescuing trafficking victims, Indian police frequently do not take them to shelter centres — instead filing cases against victims under criminal law, treating them as accused rather than survivors. The Sunday Guardian The women who were exploited in Bhilai for three months must not become suspects in the case that is supposed to protect them. That outcome, unfortunately, is not rare.

What Must Happen Now — For These Eight Women, and the Dozens Nobody Has Found Yet

The immediate priority for the eight women rescued in Bhilai is clear: full victim status, not accused status. Medical care. Trauma counselling by trained professionals. Legal aid and a dedicated case worker. Safe shelter for the duration of any trial process. And repatriation to West Bengal — if they want it — with follow-up support to prevent re-trafficking, which is devastatingly common when women are simply returned to the same economic vulnerability that made them targets in the first place.

The medium-term priority is equally clear: the ringleader arrested must not be the end of this investigation. She is one node in a network. Behind her is a recruiter in West Bengal who identified these women and delivered them. Behind that recruiter is a financier who funded the operation. Behind that financier — potentially — are connections to other rackets operating across the region.

For every woman rescued in Bhilai today, dozens more remain trapped in similar dens across Chhattisgarh — unseen, unheard, and uncounted. The Sunday Guardian The Bhilai raid is meaningful. It is not sufficient.

The City That Keeps Appearing in These Headlines

Bhilai has a trafficking problem that predates this week's raid by decades. The Steel City's combination of migrant workforce, industrial anonymity, and established transport links has made it a consistent destination in inter-state trafficking networks. Smriti Nagar, Nehru Nagar, Sector areas near the SAIL township — these are not unknown geography to Durg Police or to NGOs working on the ground.

The question that Bhilai's citizens, the Durg district administration, and the Chhattisgarh government must answer honestly is this: if these rackets operate for three months in residential colonies before a tip-off triggers a raid, what does that say about the density and quality of intelligence networks in the city? What does it say about the cooperation — or silence — of neighbours, landlords, and local officials who either knew or should have known?

Trafficking does not operate in darkness. It operates in plain sight — hidden not by geography but by indifference, fear, and the deliberate silence of those who profit from looking away.

The Bottom Line

Eight women rescued. One ringleader arrested. Three months of exploitation ended by a single night raid on a rented house in a Bhilai residential colony.

That is the news. But the story behind the news — the Bengal-to-Chhattisgarh trafficking pipeline, the false job promises, the family complicity born of desperation, the low conviction rates that embolden traffickers, and the dozens of women still trapped in similar operations across the region — is the crisis that one raid cannot solve.

The Durg Police has done its job tonight. Now every other institution in the chain — the courts, the shelters, the Women and Child Development Ministry, the Bengal and Chhattisgarh governments, and the Anti-Human Trafficking Units that exist on paper — must do theirs.

Eight women are free tonight who were not free yesterday. That matters enormously.

It is also not enough.