A Hyderabad Special Sessions Court has convicted 33 accused in a 2015 case involving human trafficking, sexual exploitation and the trafficking of minor girls, sentencing five of them to life imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Women Safety Wing and CID, Hyderabad, following a complaint from a victim who escaped from captivity and approached the authorities in July 2015.
Five receive life imprisonment
The Special Sessions Court for POCSO Act cases at HACA Bhavan convicted 33 accused and imposed different prison terms based on their roles in the case.
According to the prosecution and court proceedings:
- 5 accused were sentenced to life imprisonment.
- 3 accused received 14 years of rigorous imprisonment.
- 14 accused received 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
- 11 accused received three years of rigorous imprisonment.
The convictions involved provisions of the POCSO Act, the Indian Penal Code and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.
How the case came to light
- The case dates back to 2015, when a woman from the Khammam region was allegedly lured with promises of employment.
- According to the prosecution, she was taken to different locations and eventually forced into prostitution. She remained under the control of the accused for several months before escaping and reaching Hyderabad, where she approached CID officials and filed a complaint on July 17, 2015.
- Following her complaint, CID teams investigated the alleged trafficking network and conducted raids at locations where victims were being held.
Victims rescued during investigation
- The investigation led authorities to 38 victims, including nine minor girls, according to reports on the case.
- The victims were allegedly trafficked and sexually exploited after being lured with promises of employment. The investigation resulted in the prosecution of multiple people allegedly connected with the trafficking and exploitation network.
₹45 lakh compensation ordered for nine minor victims
- The court also ordered compensation for the nine minor victims.
- Each of the nine girls is to receive ₹5 lakh, taking the additional compensation ordered by the court to ₹45 lakh.
- The court considered the physical and mental trauma suffered by the victims while directing that the compensation be provided in addition to any compensation they had already received under applicable law.
Long running case reaches conclusion
- The case originated with CID Crime No. 14/2015 and was prosecuted under several legal provisions relating to sexual offences, child protection and trafficking.
- The verdict follows more than a decade of investigation and court proceedings, bringing a significant case involving the trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and minor girls to a judicial conclusion.
Significance of the verdict
- The judgment highlights the serious legal consequences for organised trafficking and sexual exploitation, particularly when minors are involved.
- The compensation order also recognises the long-term physical and psychological impact suffered by the victims.
- Authorities involved in the investigation have been credited for rescuing the victims and pursuing the case through the courts.
Bottom line
A Hyderabad POCSO court has convicted 33 people in a 2015 human trafficking and sexual exploitation case. Five received life imprisonment, while the remaining convicts were sentenced to between three and 14 years in prison.
The court also ordered ₹45 lakh in additional compensation for nine minor victims, at ₹5 lakh each.
