Chikkaballapur: Three women sentenced to seven years for trafficking teen into prostitution
Chikkaballapur: The Additional District and Sessions Court in Chikkaballapur on February 9th convicted three women and sentenced them to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in a human trafficking and prostitution case registered by the Chikkaballapur Women Police Station in March 2022, The Hindu reported.
According to the police, the prime accused lured the victim, who was around 19 years old, on the pretext of offering her a job at a beauty parlour in Bengaluru. The teenager, who had been a victim of child marriage, was reportedly facing financial difficulties.
Police said she was taken from Chikkaballapur to Bengaluru, and from there to Delhi, and later confined to a room, where she was allegedly forced into prostitution.
The investigation revealed that the accused had sold the victim for Rs 3 lakh and kept her confined in a brothel, where she was subjected to sexual exploitation. Other women were also allegedly brought to the same premises for prostitution.
After nearly two months, the victim managed to escape and return to her hometown. She later filed a complaint at the Women Police Station in June 2022.
Following the trial, the I Additional District and Sessions Judge, Chikkaballapur, convicted the accused. Venkataramanamma was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 7,000, her associates Lakshmi Narasamma, to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000, and Sharada, to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 15,000.
The investigation was conducted under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Kushal Chowksi, IPS. The prosecution was led by Special Public Prosecutor Zahida Banu D.K.
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Min. Priyank Kharge to expresses concern over implementation of VB-G Ram G
Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the proposed VB-G Ram G scheme, stating that the MNREGA programme, which has been a lifeline for rural India for nearly two decades, appears to be facing an uncertain future.
Speaking to media, Kharge said that as March 31 draws to a close, there is no clarity on the rollout of the new scheme from April 1. He pointed out that the central government has not yet issued the necessary guidelines for implementing the scheme for rural workers and villages.
He criticised the Centre for its lack of preparedness, stating that there is no clarity on fund allocation, no final parameters for classifying gram panchayats, and key processes such as social audits have not been defined.
Kharge said the situation comes at a critical time, as summer marks a peak period for rural employment demand, when many people depend heavily on wage employment for their livelihood.
He added that reports have emerged of delays in approvals and families not receiving work despite demand.
He further alleged that the Centre’s move to shift from a statutory employment guarantee to a rule-based allocation system is already showing negative consequences.
Kharge also raised concerns over provisions such as a mandatory 60-day halt during agricultural seasons, which he said would further limit employment opportunities for rural workers.
The BJP-led central government had claimed that the new scheme would transform rural India, but in reality it is turning out to be detrimental to people’s livelihoods, he said.
“The crisis in rural India due to the stalling of MNREGA is beginning to unfold. Given the Centre’s past record in handling such situations, there is growing concern over the impact on rural livelihoods,” Kharge said.
