Mother and Child Rescued for the Second Time in West Bengal

Raksha and 11-year-old Rasi sharing their story after the rescue

On January 22, 2025, the police and our team rescued 36-year-old Raksha and her 11-year-old daughter, Rasi, from a house in North 24 Parganas (15 miles from Kolkata.) They were trafficked from Bangladesh to India in September 2023. A few days after her rescue, Raksha showed the police fake identification made by her trafficker, Ashok, and his contacts. After seeing this, the police did not file a case to record Raksha as a victim. We met senior police officials in different departments to advocate for Raksha and fight her release back into harm’s way. No action was taken. We learned later that trafficker Ashok had used his political connections to influence the police’s decision.

During the rescue

After this rescue attempt, we monitored Raksha and her daughter. In February 2026, we received new intel about Raksha and Rasi. While ​pursuing these leads, the trail went cold. The state was preparing for elections, and most police personnel were busy, so we ​had no option but to wait.

In early July, we learned that Raksha and Rasi were living in a rental house. The house was in the same neighborhood as the previous location where she was rescued.  

On July 23, we met the Assistant Superintendent of Police. After reviewing Raksha and Rasi's case, he directed us to ​a local police station, which would initiate a rescue.

During the rescue

On July 24, at 1:58 p.m., the police ​and our team rescued Raksha and Rasi from the rental house. The trafficker, Ashok, was not present. We shared a letter with the District Social Welfare Office.  They passed an order for Raksha to be placed in a ​women's shelter home​. The Child Welfare Committee placed her daughter, Rasi, in a home for minors. Although mother and daughter are in two different homes, they are within the same premises. 

Tomorrow, Raksha will be presented in court. She refuses to turn in her trafficker, Ashok, and refuses to cooperate with the ongoing investigation. Although she claims to be married to Ashok, both Raksha and Ashok are married to other people and have families of their own. Rasi​ will also be produced before the CWC ​tomorrow, who will decide the next steps for her.

Outside the brothel