Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, Feb 19: A married couple was arrested on Tuesday February 18 for allegedly pushing a minor girl into flesh trade.

Abdul Latif (40), and his wife, Khairunnisa (34) from Payangadi in Kannur, were arrested by the personnel of the crime branch from a rented house in Palott, Kannur.

The couple faces allegations of driving a minor girl from Madhur in the district to the trade of child sex trafficking. A team led by crime branch deputy superintendent of police, P Raghunath, made these arrests.

Both were produced in the court of judicial magistrate (first class) in Hosdurg, upon which they were remanded to two weeks judicial custody. The victim has stated that the accused had taken her to several lodges in Hosdurg besides some spots in South Kanhangad, Padanna etc and forced her to suffer at the hands of sexually driven men. The police, on the basis of the girl’s statement, have already named about 30 people as accused in the case.

Haneefa and Cheemeni Hanifa couple were reportedly running the racket involving several girls, with the support of others like Abdul Latif and Khairunnisa. Some of the accused reportedly have fled to the Gulf, while some are in custody.