Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The horrifying case of a 15-year-old girl raped during a pool party at a farmhouse in Khajuri has escalated into a full-fledged human trafficking probe. Police investigations have revealed that the minor was sold for ₹20,000 by event manager Riya Yadav, who, along with her accomplices, allegedly orchestrated the abuse for financial gain.
A case has been registered at TT Nagar police station, where the girl’s mother had initially filed a complaint of abduction after the victim went missing on June 18. Following her rescue on June 21, the minor gave a detailed statement to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), prompting the police to expand the scope of the FIR to include rape, molestation, human trafficking and relevant sections of the POCSO Act.
Police said Riya Yadav came in contact with garment trader Mukesh Balchandani (37) at a party and offered to “arrange girls” for him in exchange for money. She allegedly took two advance payments and received a final payment of ₹20,000 on the day of June 20 pool party. Investigators confirmed that Riya deliberately lured and sold the minor girl to Mukesh as part of a premeditated plan.
The minor girl informed CWC that on June 19, Riya invited her to her home in Karond and introduced her to a man identified as Hanif Shah, a self-proclaimed sorcerer. On the pretext of curing her stomach pain, Hanif molested her while applying a perfumed substance.
Later the same day, Riya’s boyfriend Naved (22) introduced the girl to his cousin Anas (21), who raped her at the same location.
On June 20, Riya took her to a pool party at a farmhouse in Khajuri and gave her juice mixed with alcohol. When the minor vomited, Riya took her to a room — where Mukesh Balchandani raped her, taking advantage of her intoxicated state.
Riya then kept the girl at her house and refused to let her return home. The girl’s mother, who received a call from her daughter on June 21, contacted police and rescued her with their help.
DCP Zone-1 Shashank said that six accused, including Riya Yadav and Mukesh Balchandani, have been arrested so far.
Deal struck at dance party
Police said Riya came into contact with MukeshBalchandani — a garment trader — during a dance party, where she promised to arrange girls in exchange for cash. She allegedly took advance payments from him on two occasions, and the final amount of ₹20,000 was taken on the day of the pool party at the farmhouse.According to investigators, Riya had pre-planned the trafficking and deliberately trapped the minor victim, selling her to Mukesh under the guise of a party invitation.
Hypnosis used to control minor
The alleged sorcerer, Hanif Shah of Jehangirabad — who also works as a property dealer — told Riya he could hypnotise people. Riya reportedly asked him to hypnotise the minor girl and her mother so they would obey her instructions and not approach police.She even gave Hanif a list of names, including her two boyfriends and their family members, as she wanted to control their actions for her own benefit.
Arrests so far
The six arrested so far areevent managerRiya Yadav (23), garment traderMukesh Balchandani (37), Mukesh’s friendKapil, Riya’s boyfriend Naved (22), Naved’s cousinAnas (21) and sorcererHanif Shah (36). They face charges under sections related to abduction, rape, human trafficking, molestation and POCSO Act. Police are actively searching for Riya’s friend Mahi, whose role is under investigation.
