Ludhiana, June 15 -- The Ludhiana police have booked eight individuals, including four women, for the systemic trafficking, forced marriage and aggravated sexual assault of a minor girl over a span of nearly one and a half decades. The action follows a Zero FIR transferred from the Haryana Police after the victim managed to escape her captors.

The accused have been identified as Sahil of Sonipat, his father Subhash, mother Phoolmati, and sister Meena. The other co-accused include Hariram of Dabwali, his wife Darshna, son Vikas, and daughter-in-law Rekha. According to the police complaint, the victim's ordeal began in her infancy due to severe domestic discord. Her mother had separated from her father, an alcoholic, who forcibly retained ...