Four months of relentless investigation, over 200 km of search operation – Haryana GRP arrest child labour case accused

The SIT formed by GRP to crack this case has been awarded a commendation certificate. (File Photo)

After four months of investigation and technical surveillance, the Haryana Government Railway Police (GRP) recently arrested the absconding accused in a child labour case.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the accused, identified as Anil, forced a minor boy from Bahadurgarh into labour, during which the child’s hand was severed in a fodder-cutting machine. The incident came to light in August 2025, when the police received information about the boy’s injury and initiated proceedings under the Child Labour Act and other relevant Sections of different laws.

“At the time of the incident, the child was in a state of psychological trauma and unable to provide clear details about himself or the accused, making the investigation extremely challenging. Considering the seriousness of the case, Nikita Gahlot, Superintendent of Police, Railways Haryana, formed a Special Investigation Team comprising cyber experts and experienced officers from multiple districts,” a police spokesperson said.

Giving details of the extensive operation that was carried out to trace the absconding accused, the police spokesperson added, “The investigation team conducted an extensive search across more than 200 villages spread over 200 kilometres, covering Kaithal, Jind, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Bahadurgarh, Sonipat, Panipat, Nuh, Palwal, and areas of Delhi including Narela, Nangloi, and Shahdara, as well as Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Aligarh, and Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh.

“During the inquiry, the National Human Rights Commission had also directed that the child’s statement be recorded again under the supervision of experts. Based on the available information, the identity of the accused Anil was verified through the Haryana Education Board, Uttar Pradesh Education Board, and Gram Panchayat records.”

Explaining how Anil was arrested, the police spokesperson said, “After months of evading arrest by frequently changing locations, Anil was finally tracked down with the help of technical surveillance and ground intelligence. He was arrested from the Gautam Buddh Nagar region of Uttar Pradesh, where he had been working at a dairy. Following his arrest, Anil was produced before the court and subsequently sent to Jhajjar District Jail, today (Friday).”