Kullu Court Hands 10-Year Jail to Three for Forcing Minor into Prostitution

Punjab Newsline | Kullu

A special court in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district has convicted three people, including the victim's mother, in a shocking case involving human trafficking, sexual exploitation of a minor and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Special Judge Prakash Chand Rana sentenced each of the convicts to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment and imposed monetary fines.

The convicted individuals have been identified as Shiv Shankar alias Sikandar, originally from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh and residing in Zirakpur at the time of the offence, Nitin Jain alias Mannu of Karnal, Haryana, and the victim's mother. The court found all three guilty under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the POCSO Act, and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.

According to District Attorney Kulbhushan Gautam, the case dates back to 2018. On April 29, 2018, the Child Helpline team in Manali brought the minor girl to Manali Police Station after she disclosed her ordeal, leading to the registration of an FIR.

The investigation revealed that the child had allegedly been forced into prostitution after being threatened with death. In her statement, the victim alleged that her own mother had pushed her into the illegal trade. Prosecutors said the mother was allegedly promised ₹40,000 per month by the main accused, Shiv Shankar alias Sikandar, in exchange for involving the child.

Police further found that Shiv Shankar alias Sikandar and Nitin Jain were allegedly operating a trafficking and prostitution network together. After completing the investigation, police filed a charge sheet before the court.

During the trial, the prosecution examined 14 key witnesses and presented documentary and other evidence.

Based on the evidence and witness testimonies, the court found all three accused guilty and awarded each 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, along with financial penalties.

The verdict is being seen as a significant step in ensuring justice for child victims and sending a strong message against human trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and forced prostitution.