Sharifa Khatoon, a young woman from the rural village of Molikpur in Basirhat, West Bengal, India, had dreams of a better life. Her aspirations were simple: to find a stable job and contribute to her family's well-being. Little did she know that her pursuit of a brighter future would lead her down a dark and harrowing path.

In 2016, Sharifa secured a job as a nursemaid at a local nursing home with a very modest salary or Rupees four thousand a month. Though insufficient to meet her family's needs, it offered a glimmer of hope. However, her world was turned upside down when a fellow colleague, Jhuma, convinced her to join a nursing home in Barasat, promising a significantly higher salary. With the encouragement of the nursing home owner in Basirhat, Sharifa agreed to the transfer.

What followed was a nightmare. Under the guise of employment, Sharifa was tricked by a man named Rafiqul Nashkar, and trafficked to Ahmedabad and sold into forced prostitution. Two months later she was sold into the infamous brothel in Pune, the Budhwar Peth. She endured unimaginable physical and emotional abuse, her dreams shattered and replaced by despair.

Back in her village, her family members in pursuit of missing Sharifa, got in touch with Bikash and his team, who worked worked with the Partners for Anti Trafficking (PAT)  network, an initiative by Barasat Unnayan Prostuti (BUP) , a partner organization of Tafteesh in West Bengal.

The Rescue Operation

Despite facing numerous threats and roadblocks, Bikash and his team continued to pressure the authorities and seek assistance from various organizations.

“Together, we desperately tried to locate her and lodge an FIR, but every attempt to file a police report was met with resistance due to the nursing home owner's influence. He held power as the Head of the local Health Union,” said Bikas, who is currently running an organization called Basirhat Institute For Rural Dedication (BIRD). Eventually, their persistence paid off and on 6th December 2016, an FIR was registered and the probe began.

The turning point came when the CID became involved in the case. Through their investigations, they were able to identify Sharifa's location in Pune, and coordinate a rescue operation. The operation involved a multi-agency effort, with a collaboration with police officials from Namkhana who were also in pursuit of another local girl, Taslima, who landed up in the same brothel as Sharifa, along with more victims. 

The rescue mission was fraught with danger. Sharifa's captors, aware of the impending operation, took steps to protect their illicit business. Though the authorities were able to outmaneuver them and secure Sharifa's release, just before being rescued Sharifa was hit on her head with a bamboo, and was terribly injured. It led to hemorrhage and mental imbalance and upon check up doctors were unsure whether Sharifa will be able to survive.

Sharifa’s Return and Legal Battle

Although heavily injured, Sharifa’s return home marked a turning point. The fight for justice was fraught with challenges. The perpetrators, including the nursing home owner, attempted to intimidate Sharifa and prevent her from gathering evidence. Leveraging his political influence, the owner threatened to retaliate against Sharifa's family and the social workers supporting them. He used his position to exert pressure on local authorities and discredit Sharifa's claims.

Frustrated by the lack of progress in the lower courts, Tafteesh’s legal team led by Debayan Sen escalated the case to the High Court, resulting in the appointment of a special Public Prosecutor and a fair trial. This led to a series of arrests, including Rafiqul and his associates. The brothel where Sharifa had been held captive was raided, and its owner and staff were also apprehended. 

Despite offers of Rupees 2 Lakhs from the nursing home owner to withdraw the case, Sharifa refused to give up. “I had lost everything once. I wasn’t going to let them silence me this time,” she declared.

Compensation and Sharifa’s Triumph

The support of Tafteesh extended beyond the courtroom. Anirban Sen, another Tafteesh lawyer, fought for victim compensation on Sharifa’s behalf. The legal battle was fraught with challenges, but through strategic maneuvers and relentless advocacy, the team managed to navigate the complexities. A significant breakthrough came when Sharifa was awarded an initial compensation of four lakh rupees from the District Legal Services Authority (DALSA). Recognizing that this was insufficient to cover her trauma and suffering, Tafteesh’s team filed a challenge petition to the State Legal Services Authority (SALSA), securing an increased compensation of eight lakh rupees.

Beyond financial support, Tafteesh coordinated with local authorities to provide police protection for Sharifa, shielding her from further threats and intimidation. This safety net empowered Sharifa to rebuild her life and regain her dignity. Reflecting on this victory, Sharifa shared, “This compensation isn’t just money; it’s a symbol of justice for everything they took from me.”

Resilience Redefined

Sharifa's journey from victim to survivor is a testament to her resilience and the unwavering support of Tafteesh. Her case has had a profound impact on the fight against human trafficking. By raising awareness about this heinous crime and advocating for legal reforms, Tafteesh has played a vital role in strengthening the anti-human trafficking ecosystem in the country.

Today, Sharifa stands as a symbol of hope for countless trafficking survivors. Her story reminds us that even in the darkest times, there is always a glimmer of hope. “If my story can help just one person believe that change is possible, then everything I went through was worth it," she says with quiet strength. “Tafteesh has been my pillar in this fight, showing me that no matter how powerful my oppressors were, justice could still prevail.” Through her courage and perseverance, Sharifa has not only reclaimed her own life but has also inspired others to stand up against injustice and seek the justice they deserve.