Gajapati: In a major success, the Gajapati Police have busted a human trafficking racket involving the illegal transportation and sale of young girls under the pretext of providing jobs.

Acting on a complaint lodged at the Adava police station, investigators found a youth from Rayagada district, identified as Ishwar Kusulia, had been luring girls with false promises of employment. He allegedly transported them to Hyderabad, where they were sold to a woman and kept in confinement.

The victims were reportedly subjected to physical and mental abuse and forced into immoral activities.

Following the revelations, Adava police formed a six-member team and, with assistance from Hyderabad police, carried out a raid and successfully rescued seven girls. Among them, six are minors and one is an adult.

R. Udayagiri SDPO Rakesh Kumar Sahu said the police have arrested the prime accused, Ishwar Kusulia, along with Sarita Jain, a Hyderabad-based woman. Both have been produced before a court.

Further investigation into the trafficking network is underway.