‘We don’t even know if she’s alive’:Hopeless brother waits 8 years for missing sister; 10,000 girls disappear annually in MP

Thousands of girls go missing in Madhya Pradesh every year. Some are sold, forced into labour, or trapped in the flesh trade. Many families are left waiting for years without any clue. Even when girls return, they carry trauma that lasts a lifetime. Experts say the face of trafficking is changing, with social media and mobile apps being used to lure children. Varsha’s disappearance: 7 years of uncertainty Ganesh Shakya from Gwalior remembers the day his 22-year-old sister Varsha went missing seven years ago. She had gone to her in-laws’ house, and despite insisting on taking her brother with her, her in-laws refused. The next day, Varsha disappeared. Ganesh says: “We do not know whether she is alive or not.” Varsha had been married to a man named Vicky in March 2018. Soon after, she suffered abuse and dowry demands. Her mother encouraged her to file a complaint, but Vicky threatened her. When Ganesh visited the house in November 2018, Varsha begged to return home, but her brother dismissed it as a family quarrel. Family accuses police of negligence Ganesh says that when he tried to report Varsha missing, the police were unhelpful. Vicky’s mother had already filed an FIR, and the authorities gave only assurances. Applications and complaints were sent to officials, including Home Minister Amit Shah and the Chief Minister, but no action was taken. One of Varsha’s brothers lost his mental stability due to the shock. The family still waits for answers. Geeta’s case: Court orders CBI investigation Gajendra Chandel, a resident of Sirsi village, Guna, still hopes his daughter Geeta is alive. She disappeared on 1 August 2017 while getting kerosene. Geeta had been born prematurely, and her father raised her alone after her mother died in 2013. The local police ignored early pleas. Gajendra filed a habeas corpus petition in the Gwalior High Court. An SIT was formed, over 150 people were interrogated, and an excavation took place, but no results were found. On 17 December, the High Court transferred the investigation to the CBI, criticising the Madhya Pradesh Police for negligence. Divya’s betrayal: Sold by her friend Fourteen-year-old Divya from Khajuraho was betrayed by her best friend Jaya on 8 September 2016. Jaya took her to Mahoba and introduced her to two men. Divya was given something to drink and lost consciousness. She woke up in Delhi, locked in a room and threatened. Plans were made to sell her. Her father, with the help of Childline and an NGO, tracked her location. Police rescued Divya after locating Jaya’s mobile. The accused were jailed, and Jaya was sent to a juvenile correctional facility. Divya’s family moved away from Khajuraho due to social stigma and trauma. Pooja’s Story: Exploitation and escape Fifteen-year-old Pooja from Chhatarpur was forced into marriage for Rs 20,000 by a man who later sold her for Rs 40,000 to his disabled uncle. Pooja suffered daily work, physical and mental abuse, and repeated rape, eventually becoming pregnant. She escaped and returned home, but the police initially refused to register a complaint. Today, at age 21, she is raising her child while working as a labourer. She says: “Why should my child suffer for what happened to me?” Experts warn: Trafficking is evolving Archana Sahay, director of Aarambh, says child trafficking now often starts online. Friends are made through mobile phones, Instagram, and Facebook. Children are promised jobs, education, or money. When they meet in reality, exploitation begins. She praises the Madhya Pradesh Police, who find 95% of missing girls. But delays in filing reports allow traffickers to act. “Families often wait, hoping the child will return. This ‘golden period’ is lost. Prevention is better than cure,” she says. Families still waiting The stories of Varsha, Geeta, Divya, and Pooja highlight the human cost of trafficking. Many families continue to wait for years, while traffickers exploit delays in the system. Experts emphasise early reporting, awareness, and vigilance as key to protecting children from trafficking in Madhya Pradesh.