In a disturbing case of child trafficking, the Government Railway Police (GRP) rescued a three-year-old girl, Sravani, and arrested three individuals, including her father, for allegedly selling her.
The incident began on August 7, when Saikam Mastan, from Vetapalem in Bapatla district, reported that his daughter had gone missing from Platform 1 of Vijayawada railway station. A swift GRP and RPF search, aided by CCTV footage, revealed that the child had been abducted by a man and a woman and taken toward Visakhapatnam by bus.
With the assistance of the Rajahmundry GRP, the suspects were intercepted along with the child. During questioning, inconsistencies in Mastan’s statements raised suspicion. Saikam Venkateswaramma, the child’s mother, revealed that Mastan had been estranged from the family for four months and had abducted Sravani two days prior.
Further investigation revealed that Mastan had sold his daughter to the two suspects, Bolla Srinivasulu and Sadela Chinnari, for Rs 5,000, who intended to use her for begging in Rajahmundry. Alarmingly, Mastan had reportedly sold his third daughter previously in Vetapalem.
All three accused — Saikam Mastan, Bolla Srinivasulu, and Sadela Chinnari — have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody. Authorities continue to investigate to ensure no further victims are involved.
