Jabalpur woman sold in Shajapur for ₹2 lakh fake-marriage deal:Ex-sarpanch runs gang, bride-selling network active in name of marriage

A disturbing organised racket involved in selling minor girls in the name of marriage has been exposed in Jabalpur. Police investigation has uncovered an active human trafficking network operating across districts. Shocking details emerged during the probe into the disappearance of a 16-year-old girl from Ghamapur on 6 December 2025. Police rescued her on 22 December from a village in Shajapur, nearly 483 km away, where she had allegedly been sold for ₹2 lakh and forcibly married. Police detained the man who married the girl and later handed her back to her family. During investigation, the case unravelled into a much larger trafficking network allegedly run by a former village sarpanch. By April 2026, police had arrested nine people, including a woman. Those held include the former sarpanch, a priest and relatives linked to the deal. How the minor girl fell into the gang’s trap The minor girl, a resident of Ghamapur, was in a relationship with a 20-year-old boy from her neighbourhood. On 6 December, she went to meet his friend, Sumit Chauhan, and the two later reached Jabalpur Railway Station while roaming around the city. An argument broke out between them there, after which Sumit allegedly fled with her mobile phone. Afraid to return home, she remained at the station, where she met Manish Sapera. He reportedly manipulated her into trusting him and succeeded in taking her away. On the night of 7 December, he took her by bus to Mandla, accompanied by his nephew Arjun. She stayed with them there for two days. She was then taken to Chandbad village in Sehore district and sold to former sarpanch Rakesh Korbe for ₹1 lakh. After selling the girl, gang moved on to find next victim After selling the girl, Manish and his nephew allegedly set out in search of another target. Meanwhile, Rakesh Korbe activated his local network to sell her onward, as girls for marriage are reportedly not easily found in border villages. Acting on his instructions, priest Hemraj Kumariya, Hemraj Vishwakarma, Rai Singh Gurjar and Jatan Bai became active in arranging the next deal. Accused paid ₹2 lakh and took girl away The four allegedly moved around Shajapur, Barwani and Guna carrying the girl’s photograph in search of a buyer. On 12 December, contact was made with 30-year-old Akash Mewada from Basad village in Guna district. Through middlemen arranged by Rakesh, Akash was shown the girl’s photo and a deal was struck for ₹2 lakh. On 12 December, after paying ₹2 lakh, Akash allegedly took her to his village, where a marriage ceremony was conducted in the presence of family members. The girl somehow endured the situation. On 19 December, she managed to use a neighbour’s phone to call her own number — which was still with Sumit. Police traced location through mobile call The girl told him everything, but Sumit allegedly did not help. Meanwhile, police were tracking the mobile phone. Cyber police found that the phone was with Sumit, and during questioning he disclosed details of the call. Since it was a kidnapping case, the case diary was transferred from Ghamapur police station to the women’s police station. A human trafficking case was registered under Sections 142, 143 and 144 of the BNS. On the instructions of SP Sampat Upadhyay, a police team led by CSP Ashish Jain and Women Police Station in-charge Manju Sharma reached Shajapur and Guna. Akash was detained there, and sustained questioning led to further revelations. Former sarpanch says money was divided according to role During interrogation, the former sarpanch of Chandbad village told police that money in the racket was distributed according to each person’s role. He said he paid ₹1 lakh to Manish to acquire the girl. After that, he paid ₹10,000 each to Hemraj Kumariya, Hemraj Vishwakarma, Jatan Bai and Rai Singh Gurjar, while keeping the remaining amount himself. 9 arrested, more revelations possible during interrogation So far, police have arrested nine accused — Manish Sapera, Arjun, Sumit Chauhan, Rakesh Korbe, Akash Mewada, Jatan Bai, Hemraj Kumariya, Hemraj Vishwakarma and Rai Singh Gurjar.