Ludhiana: Eight people from a neighboring state are under a cross-border child trafficking and forced marriage investigation involving a girl who was allegedly sold by her father as a toddler.The investigation commenced after the 17-year-old survivor escaped captivity, gave birth to a child, and filed a complaint detailing over a decade of systemic abuse across state lines.Police officials claim that the survivor’s late father allegedly sold her to a family in the neighboring state when she was 2 years old, following a parental separation driven by his severe alcoholism. Upon turning 16, that family allegedly resold her to a second household, where she was married forcibly to the family’s son in Nov 2024.The survivor was subsequently moved to a residential area within Ludhiana, where she was subjected to continuous sexual assault and wrongful confinement. Members of the family allegedly threatened her into silence, claiming the marriage granted her husband total authority over her.The teenager fled the house in May 2025 to reunite with her biological mother, later having a baby. The suspects subsequently tracked the survivor to her mother’s house, issuing continuous threats to coerce her return.Following a formal complaint in late May 2026, authorities in the neighboring state initially registered a “Zero FIR” — a jurisdictional placeholder allowing immediate police action — before transferring the case to Ludhiana for formal registration.The suspects, who include four women, face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for rape of a minor under 16, wrongful confinement, and criminal intimidation. They are additionally charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.The investigating officer confirmed that local police were tracing the suspects and arrests were expected shortly.