Moga woman pushed into drugs, flesh trade by 'husband, influential persons'

A horrifying story of prolonged exploitation, abuse and neglect has emerged from Moga, where a young woman has accused her husband and several politically connected individuals of forcing her into prostitution and drug addiction — a seven-year nightmare that has now left her battling AIDS and Hepatitis C.

According to FIR No. 0268, registered on October 8, 2025, at Police Station City South, Moga, the victim — identified as Jaspreet Kaur (24, name changed) — was found unconscious by her family on September 27 and later admitted to hospital. Medical reports confirmed she had contracted AIDS and Hepatitis C, which she attributes to years of forced substance use and sexual exploitation.

Her ordeal, as detailed in the FIR, began in 2017 when she was just 16 years old. She alleged that the main accused, Gaurav alias Gori, began stalking and harassing her, eventually luring her to his home where he sexually assaulted her, recorded the act, and blackmailed her with the video. Over the next several months, she was allegedly exploited in hotels repeatedly under threats of exposure.

When Gaurav allegedly sent her explicit video to her brother in February 2018, the family approached the police helpline (112) for help. However, she claims the matter was hushed up after local political intervention. A municipal councillor, allegedly ensured Gaurav’s release, and despite multiple complaints from her family, no action was taken.

The harassment escalated, with Gaurav allegedly abducting her in April 2021 with two accomplices in a Scorpio vehicle. Under pressure and constant threats, she was forced to marry him around May-June 2021, reads the FIR.

Her life “worsened” after marriage. The accused allegedly subjected her to physical torture, forced her into drug use, and began trafficking her to other men. She gave birth to a boy in September 2022, but within days, Gaurav allegedly abducted the infant and tried to sell him for ₹3 lakh through a village Asha worker. The baby was recovered after community intervention but died eight months later due to illness. Following the tragedy, her in-laws expelled the couple, and her husband allegedly pushed her deeper into prostitution to fund his addiction.

Jaspreet’s complaint describes how she was allegedly forced to engage in sex work at several establishments in Moga and was subjected to brutal assaults when she resisted. The FIR also mentions that she was filmed during these encounters and blackmailed to ensure her compliance.

Among those named in her complaint are a municipal councillor, a sarpanch and alleged owner of a hotel and an AAP leader, and a scrap dealer — all accused of exploiting her sexually and facilitating her drug addiction. She alleged that the councillor, who had earlier helped Gaurav evade action, had later taken her to unknown houses and repeatedly assaulted her.

The police have so far registered a case under Section 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, and other relevant laws, naming Gaurav as the prime accused. The role of other individuals named in her statement is currently under investigation. Gurpreet Singh, DSP, Moga, stated, “The case has been assigned to an Inspector-rank officer. If evidence emerges against the others named in the complaint, appropriate legal action will be initiated.”

The case has shocked the region, underscoring the deep-rooted nexus between drug abuse, political power, and the exploitation of women in Punjab’s hinterland. “This young woman sought help repeatedly but was silenced at every stage. The system failed her completely,” said a local activist, demanding a fair and transparent probe.