Suresh tightly gripped six-year old Prita’s* hand, leading her towards the bus as she clutched a small bag of food he had just bought. The crowded village center bustled with activity—shoppers moving between stores, the hum of conversation, and the distant sound of a bus engine idling. Oashni,* Prita’s mother snuck behind them, her heart pounding with fear. She had seen the sudden change in Suresh’s behavior and knew something was wrong. When he tried to board the bus with their daughter, her worst fears were confirmed: Suresh intended to sell Prita. 

Oashni rushed forward, screaming for help. The passengers, confused at first, quickly grasped the gravity of the situation. They shouted for the bus driver to stop, and when it did, Oashni fought to pull Prita from her father’s grip. Suresh resisted, pushing Oashni away, but the growing crowd intervened, saving the child from an unthinkable fate. 

This harrowing moment was the culmination of years of turmoil in their marriage. Suresh had always been obsessed with having a son, believing that daughters were a burden. He was overjoyed when Oashni gave birth to their first child, a boy. But when Prita was born, his joy turned to anger. At the hospital, he had demanded that Oashni abandon the baby. When she refused, he brutally beat her right there on the hospital grounds, demonstrating a chilling disregard for his wife and newborn daughter. 

Back home, Suresh lavished attention and resources on their son, while neglecting Prita. His sudden, suspicious change in behavior—bringing her gifts and showing false affection—raised red flags for Oashni. Her instincts proved correct when she followed him that fateful day and uncovered his horrific plan to sell their daughter. 

After the incident at the bus stop, Suresh’s fury intensified. He accused Oashni of ruining his plan, claiming that Prita would have fetched a higher price now that she was older. He severely beat both Oashni and Prita, blaming them for the “burden” of having a daughter. Oashni, realizing she couldn’t protect her child alone, sought help from relatives, but no one dared to stand up to Suresh, who had a fearsome reputation in the community. Instead, some of the sympathetic villagers, who knew about IGP, connected Oashni with our team. 

Our team, working with local government social workers, village volunteers, and the police, launched a thorough investigation into Suresh’s actions. Faced with mounting pressure and the threat of legal consequences, Suresh fled the home, leaving behind a message for Oashni that their marriage was over. For Oashni, it was a moment of relief—a chance to rebuild her life and protect Prita. 

Now, Oashni and Prita are receiving the support they need. IGP has provided counseling to help Oashni through her trauma and we are ensuring Prita’s safety with proper food, shelter, and access to education. Our care program is dedicated to helping Prita heal and thrive, providing her with the tools she needs to reach her full potential.