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163 minor boys rescued from train in MP’s Katni, 8 arrested in suspected trafficking attempt

163 minor boys rescued from train in MP’s Katni, 8 arrested in suspected trafficking attempt

Yekkirala Akshitha
April 13, 2026

In a major anti-trafficking operation, 163 minor boys allegedly being transported from Bihar to Maharashtra for labour work were rescued from an express train in Madhya Pradesh’s Katni district, officials said on Sunday. The operation was carried out jointly by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP) after authorities received intelligence inputs about possible child trafficking.

The boys, aged between six and 13 years, were travelling on the Patna–Purna Express when security personnel intercepted the train at Katni railway station late on Saturday night. The rescue operation began after the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) alerted authorities about a large group of children moving under suspicious circumstances.

During the overnight operation, officials detained eight persons accompanying the children. Investigators found that the suspects were travelling without valid tickets or identification documents , which raised suspicion and led to the rescue. Preliminary inquiries revealed that the minors were allegedly being taken from the Araria region of Bihar to Latur in Maharashtra to work as labourers.

According to RPF Katni Inspector Virendra Singh, security teams waited for the train at platform number five and searched several coaches after it arrived. The operation continued through the night and concluded early Sunday, with all the children taken into safe custody.

Police have registered a case under Section 143(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) , which deals with child trafficking , and further investigations are underway to identify other members of the suspected trafficking network.

Officials said the rescued children are currently undergoing counselling and identity verification . Authorities have begun contacting their families, while several of the minors have been placed under the care of child protection units in Katni and nearby Jabalpur until further arrangements are made.