Child trafficking case: Jalpaiguri DCPO arrested

Sources in the CID said Sasmita was arrested as the officers were unsatisfied with her replies during interrogation.

WITHIN 24 hours of being suspended as the Jalpaiguri District Child Protection Officer (DCPO), Sasmita Ghosh was on Monday arrested by state CID officers at Pintel Village in Siliguri in the Jalpaiguri child trafficking case. The arrest came three days after her husband, Darjeeling DCPO Mrinal Ghosh, was arrested in the case. “Sasmita Ghosh was arrested today after prolonged interrogation. She was a DCPO and also a member of the adoption committee… She was misusing her post,” DIG (CID) Nishat Parvej said. Sasmita is set to be produced before a Jalpaiguri court, where CID would seek her custody.

Sources in the CID said Sasmita was arrested as the officers were unsatisfied with her replies during interrogation. This comes on a day when CID conducted a search operation at the couple’s residence at College Para crossing in Siliguri. Both Mrinal and Sasmita were present during the search.

“The couple had taken undue advantage of their positions as DCPO… They would take commission once a child was sold. They were not only allowing a smooth running of this racket but were also receiving benefits in return,” said another CID officer.

The arrest of Mrinal, along with a member of the district Child Welfare Committee, came days after BJP Mahila Morcha leader Juhi Chowdhury — now arrested — chief adoption officer of an NGO Sonali Mondal, its chairperson Chandana Chakraborty and Chandana’s brother Manas Bhowmik were arrested in the case.

Sonali, Chandana and Manas have been accused of selling about 17 children, aged between one and 14 years, to foreigners by means of questionable adoption deals. Three homes run by Chandana – Bimala Sishu Griho, Ashroy Short Stay Home and North Bengal People’s Development Committee — have been shut down.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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