'Sheikh marriage' trafficking ring busted in India

Sheikhs give Rs300,000 to Rs2 million to local brokers for getting a minor girl, says a police official

Indian police arrested on Wednesday 20 people in a major crackdown against a 'sheikh marriage' racket allegedly involved in trafficking of minor girls to the Gulf countries.

Those arrested include five Omani nationals, three Qataris, three Qazi (marriage registrar), five local brokers and four lodge owners.

The racket unfolded during an investigation by the Hyderabad police on child marriages and contract marriages in Hyderabad old city area.

The chief Qazi from Mumbai, Farid Ahmed Khan, identified as the master of the racket involved in preparation of fake nikahnamas (marriage agreements) and marriage certificates was also arrested.



According to police, a minor girl victim tipped off the police after she was interviewed by a sheikh for marriage.

"The moment these sheikhs [Arab nationals] land in Hyderabad, the brokers provide them transport and accommodation. The brokers play an important role, as they identify families who belong to economically poor background and convince them to marry their daughters to these sheikhs. They conduct interviews with the minor girls and help them communicate with them," said Hyderabad police commissioner M Mahendar Reddy.



"The sheikhs spend huge amounts of money on the brokers ranging from Rs300,000 to Rs2 million for minor girls. However, the brokers pay almost nothing to the family of the victim. The victims are later exploited not only by the sheikhs but they also pass on the women to others once they reach the Gulf countries," added the police official.

This article originally appeared on The Times of India