Nagpur: In a swift operation, the Nagpur Crime Branch’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit rescued a 16-year-old girl who had gone missing from her residence in Gittikhadan and was found staying with a male friend in Wategaon, Butibori.

According to police, the incident occurred on April 22, 2024, when the 40-year-old complainant reported that his minor daughter had left home with a suspected male companion and failed to return. Despite efforts, the family was unable to locate her. Based on the complaint, an FIR under Section 363 of the Indian Penal Code (kidnapping) was registered at Gittikhadan Police Station.

During a parallel investigation, the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Crime Branch received reliable intelligence that the girl was residing with the suspect in Wategaon, Butibori. Acting on this tip-off, officers launched a search operation and successfully traced both individuals.

The duo was taken into custody and brought to the police station for further inquiry. The girl was counselled by police personnel before being handed over to Gittikhadan Police along with the suspect for further legal action.

The operation was executed under the supervision of Commissioner of Police Ravinder Kumar Singal, Joint Commissioner Nisar Tamboli, Additional CP (Crime) Sanjay Patil, DCP (Detection) Rahul Makanikar, and ACP (Crime Branch) Abhijit Patil. The action team included PI Lalita Todase, constables Gajendra Singh Thakur, Ram Nirgudwar, Rishikesh Dumre, Vilas Chinchulkar, Naresh Shingne, Ashwini Khodpewar, and Pallavi Wanjari.