CBI files closure report in human trafficking case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a closure report in a two-year-old human trafficking case involving a local woman.

The CBI had filed an FIR against a Sector 32-based woman, Riya Sonkar, and her associate Ajay for allegedly trafficking people to Myanmar under the pretext of providing them with jobs in Thailand.

The CBI booked the accused under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 370(3) (human trafficking) of the IPC.

The CBI claimed in the FIR that several Indian nationals had been trafficked by a network of human traffickers to Myawaddy, Myanmar, by promising them good jobs of customer support and profiles/data entry operators in South-East Asia countries such as Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.

After reaching the destination, these people were forced to work against their will in cyber scam hubs/companies run by Chinese and Indian criminal syndicates.

In case, someone refused to carry out illegal work, he or she faced physical torture. Many victims are still trapped in Myawaddy in Myanmar, claimed the FIR.

The CBI sleuths raided the residence of Riya Sonkar in Sector 32 and claimed to have recovered documents and transaction details related to the entire scam.

The CBI claimed in the FIR that Riya arranged tickets and business visa (valid for 70 days) of Myanmar for three persons. However, they got suspicious and refused to go with the persons who had reached the Yangon airport to take them to the company’s office. The three victims contacted the Indian Embassy and decided not to join the company. The Indian Embassy got them deported back to India at their own expenses.

After the investigation, the CBI filed the closure report. Special Judicial Magistrate of the CBI Court here has fixed October 28 for considering the report.

Chandigarh