The accused groom has been arrested, while the police is rapidly searching for the friend who sold the girl and her husband.
The girl had gone to visit Khatu Shyam with her friend.
According to Barra police, the 21-year-old girl worked in a local factory. On April 21, she had gone to visit Khatu Shyam ji with her childhood friend Riya Pandey (Sagarpuri, Sen Paschimpara police station area) and Riya's husband Sumit Pandey. When the girl did not return home for several days, her mother got worried and contacted her friends Riya and Sumit.
Friend threatened victim's mother
Initially both of them hesitated by saying that they would return. Later, Riya threatened over the phone and said that the girl has been sold for Rs 3 lakh. If you want it back, you will have to pay. Immediately after this both their phones were switched off. The family immediately lodged a complaint with Barra police. When the police started investigation, the last location of Rhea couple was found in Rajasthan. On Sunday night, the Barra police team left for Rajasthan along with the girl's family. There searches were conducted in Fatehpur Sadar area of Sikar district.
Change of name and forced marriage on 30th April
The police successfully recovered the girl. Along with this, local laborer Pradeep Vishwakarma was also arrested, with whom the girl was forcibly married. DCP South Deependra Nath Chaudhary told that Riya and Sumit had sold the girl by threatening to kill her. The accused changed the girl's name to 'Kajal' and forcibly married her to Pradeep Vishwakarma on April 30. The documents were also prepared in a new name. The girl has now been handed over to her family.
What did the girl's mother say?
The girl's mother told that her daughter used to work in a factory to support the family financially. The plan for Khatu Shyam Yatra was made by friend Riya herself. The family never had any idea that the friend could hatch such a big conspiracy.
police action
Police have now intensified raids and technical surveillance to nab Riya Pandey and Sumit Pandey. Both have been accused of serious charges like human trafficking, kidnapping, forced marriage and intimidation. Interrogation of Pradeep Vishwakarma is going on. Police fear that this may not be an isolated case, the entire network is also being investigated. The girl is currently safe, but she is undergoing counseling to overcome the shock of the incident.
