Rajasthan police rescue six minors forced into sex work, five arrested

The Jhalawar police have arrested five accused. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Rajasthan police rescued six minor girls from Banchhada community in Jhalawar district and arrested five people – most of them related to the girls – for allegedly forcing them into sex work, police said on Friday (Nov 06, 2026).

Speaking to The Hindu, Jhalawar Superintendent of Police (SP) Amit Kumar said that girls between the ages of 12 and 17 were rescued in raids conducted in the Bhawanimandi area on November 3 and that medical and forensic examinations confirmed the sexual abuse of five girls.

Two of the girls also tested positive for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Mr. Kumar said the action was taken after the police took cognizance of a ‘Ground Zero’ report by The Hindu which highlighted the issue of children being forced into sex trade in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur, Neemuch and Ratlam districts in August.

Banchhada community, a de-notified tribe, is mainly spread in various areas of Nimar region of Madhya Pradesh and Mewar region of Rajasthan. The community has long been notorious for engaging in traditional sex work, often forcing their daughters into sex from a young age, with their family members and relatives working as pimps.

According to the Jhalawar police, the community has a significant population in about 5-6 villages in the district.

Mr. Kumar said a SIT headed by Additional SP Ayush Shrotriya was formed for the operation after which two officers were sent to localities where the community was present to collect digital evidence using spy cameras.

“After verification of digital evidence and intelligence inputs, raids were conducted at community locations with more than 100 personnel – including women in civilian clothes – and six girls were rescued,” the officer said.

Mr. Kumar said that an FIR under Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and Sections 5, 6, 11, 12 and 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO) has been lodged at the Bhawanimandi police station.

He said a separate SIT under Additional SP Bhagchandra Meena has been formed to investigate the case further.

The arrested accused have been identified as Hira Bai, 34; Dhapu Bai, 35; Rodi Bai, 32; Chhaanmal, 38; and Pappu, 22. They were produced before the court and sent to judicial custody.

“Along with rescue work and raids, we will also launch a community engagement program and the message there will be clear: underage girls will not be allowed to be forced into sex work,” Kumar said.

Published – 06 Nov 2026 21:37 IST