The Delhi Police has arrested eight people, including two women, for allegedly selling a minor girl to a 25-year-old man with whom she was married on May 1.
Police said the accused have been identified as Dharamvir, girl’s husband Bharat Kishor Pandey, a local priest Chandrakala, Chandrawati, Vishnu Nath, Ajay Yadav, Satbir and Tejpal. “The incident came to light when the 15-year-old victim’s mother approached the police and informed them about this matter,” a senior police officer said.
The victim’s mother told the police that a week back, one of the neighbours had approached her from the locality and informed about a marriage proposal for her daughter. The girl’s marriage then took place in a local temple and the priest Bharat Kishor Pandey solemnised the marriage.
“On May 4, she came to know that her daughter was sold for `80,000. Their marriage was a deal which was planned by eight people including the priest who had conducted the marriage. The girl’s family lived in Wazirpur area near Ashok Vihar and her parents are labourers,” the officer added.
After their arrest, now investigators are questioning them and trying to ascertain their previous involvement as there is strong possibility that some more girls were sold for similar purposes by the accused.