Indian Woman convicted of Forcing Minor into Prostitution

In a case that has spanned more than 10 years, an Indian woman has been convicted of kidnapping and forcing a minor girl into prostitution.

Notorious criminal Sonu Punjaban was convicted in a Delhi court. She was known for her criminal operations in the city’s red-light district.

She was finally arrested in December 2017 by a police team led by DCP Bhisham Singh.

Officers worked tirelessly on the case as they wanted to convict the accused. Now, after almost three years, she has been found guilty.

Punjaban was remanded in Tihar prison and is yet to be sentenced. As well as her arrest, her associate Sandeep Bedwal and four others were also arrested.

The case relates to a 12-year-old girl who was trafficked by Punjaban and her gang in 2009.

An FIR was registered against her under sections of rape and kidnap under the Indian Penal Code. After a police complaint was registered by the victim’s family, Punjaban was charged under the POCSO Act.

Police subsequently launched an investigation to locate the notorious human trafficker.

During the investigation, police discovered that she had five further criminal cases registered against her.

It was revealed that the girl fell in love with Sandeep. He took her to a house in Laxmi Nagar on the pretext of marriage and raped her in September 2009.

He then sold the victim, who was 12 years old at the time, to someone named Seema Aunty. Seema Aunty forced the victim into prostitution and drugged her.

She was then sold to Punjaban who forced her into prostitution.

Before sending her to customers to various places in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, she used to drug the victim.

The girl was raped several times by different men.

The girl managed to escape one place and reached her home. However, the ordeal had an effect on her mental wellbeing. She was living in constant fear of her life.

After receiving counselling, she spoke to the police.

Police recorded her statement and immediately a team was formed to track down Punjaban.

The Indian woman was later arrested in Delhi from her hideout.

Following her conviction, DCP Singh tweeted:

“Sonu Punjaban alias Geeta Arora convicted in a case of PS Najafgarh by Hon’ble Court for kidnapping, Trafficking, POCSO Act & other offences.

“This case was worked out and was investigated by cyber cell, crime branch.”

Punjaban was remanded in Tihar Jail, however, on July 16, 2020, she attempted suicide by overdosing on pills.

She complained of internal pain but when her condition worsened, she was taken to Deen Dayal Hospital. Doctors said she was in a stable condition and will be discharged soon.