Ten-year-old Gauri Kanhar, a permanent resident of Ramgram-2 in Nawalparasi district, was reportedly sold at a shop located in Thuthipipal VDC, Rupandehi. The horrendous incident was discovered when the victim’s elder brother Jitendra, 13, had gone to receive her following the demise of their father on Friday. Jitendra said the shop owner denied letting his sister go home claiming that he had bought the minor.

Unable to bring her along, Jitendra shared the tale with locals upon his return to the village. The locals then informed about the incident to Shiva Shankar Raya, a member of District Child Welfare Board, who in turn reported it to the board chairperson and Chief District Officer Hari Mainali.

“I have already directed police to promptly rescue the minor and hand her over to her family,” Mainali said, promising strict action against the shop owner if those allegations against him were proved to be true. While locals speculated that Gauri might have been sold off by her own mother, who had eloped with another man a couple of months ago, Raya said that the minor was sold at a mere Rs 25,000.

Meanwhile, Deputy Superintendent of Police Hem Thapa said that they had started investigation into the matter in coordination with Rupandehi police.