'Kanya bhojan' used as guise for child trafficking in Bhopal, two minor girls rescued

In a concerning incident in Bhopal, two minor girls were abducted from a temple premises on Saturday during the Navratri festival, in an apparent case of child trafficking orchestrated under the guise of 'Kanya Bhojan.' Prompted by this alarming occurrence, the Bhopal Police launched a swift and extensive investigation, reviewing over 200 CCTV camera footages spanning three days.

This intensive operation led the police to the posh English Villas society in Bhopal's Kolar area. In a well-coordinated raid conducted on Tuesday, law enforcement successfully rescued the two abducted minor girls, identified as Kajal (8) and her 11-month-old sister Deepawali.

The police have apprehended five individuals involved in this child trafficking operation: Archan Saini (36), her live-in partner Nishant (31), Suraj (19), and Muskan (20). During their interrogation, the police uncovered a sinister operation that had been trafficking children for several years, with connections to a group based in Delhi.


Archana Saini, the alleged mastermind behind this criminal enterprise, hails from Punjab, while her live-in partner Nishant is from Kerala. The police commissioner of Bhopal, Harinarayana Chari Mishra, disclosed, "We have arrested five persons, and a search is ongoing for a woman doctor who is suspected to be the main kingpin. Our investigation is still underway."

Furthermore, the investigation has revealed the involvement of this group in child trafficking for an extended period, with children being transported to Delhi and other states. Following the dismantling of the gang in Bhopal, the police are poised to extend their inquiries into other regions.

Notably, a disconcerting report from the NGO 'Child Right and You' disclosed that, on average, 32 children were reported missing in Madhya Pradesh every day in 2022.