Cops rescue Argentine woman, children

A 31-year-old Argentine woman and her minor daughter and son were rescued from the clutches of her live-in partner, a resident of Islam Ganj, who had allegedly maltreated and harassed her by detaining the woman illegally for a couple of months.

The suspect, identified as Harjinder Bhola, was arrested in connection with an FIR registered at the Division Number 2 police station under Sections 115 (2), 351 (2) 126 (2) of the BNS on November 1.

The police had to seek assistance from an interpreter from the Argentina Embassy in comprehending the victim’s narration and a translation app for deciphering her application written in Spanish language.

In her complaint, the woman alleged that Bhola had manhandled her and her children during their stay at his residence in Islam Ganj.

Investigation revealed that the victim had accompanied Bhola to Ludhiana in March with the understanding that their stay would be limited to three months.

However, the woman and her children were forced to stay beyond their scheduled stay and allegedly manhandled by Bhola and his mother.

It was during the last week of October that the victim approached the police station at Division Number 2 with the intervention of the Argentine Embassy and a case was registered against Bhola on November 1.

SHO Gurjit Singh said the complainant and her children had been rescued and shifted to the Sakhi One Stop Centre at the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, from where they were further shifted to New Delhi according to instructions of the Argentine Embassy.

Though the police are yet to ascertain the exact marital status of the suspect and the victim woman, sources said the duo had been staying as a live-in couple in Argentina for some years.

They had come to Ludhiana in March for three months but Bhola allegedly forced the victim and her children to stay further, leading to her alleged victimisation and registration of the FIR.