HYDERABAD: In a major crackdown against an active sheikh marriage racket in the city, Hyderabad police arrested 20 people, including five Omani nationals, three Qatar nationals and three Qazis.This came after the police were investigating cases of child marriages and contract marriages in the old city and found out about the international human trafficking circle.Among the 20 people were arrested, five were Omani nationals, three Qatar national, three Qazis, five local brokers and four lodge owners were arrested while the chief Qazi from Mumbai, Farid Ahmed Khan has been identified as the kingpin, who had been preparing fake Nikahnamas and marriage certificates.The accused are identified as Al Mayahi Habib Ali Issa, Al Salhi Talib Humeid Ali, Al Ubaidani Juma Shinoon Sulaima, Al Salehi Nasser Khalifa Hamed and Al Qasimi Hassan Mazaaul Mohamed from Oman , Omer Mohammed Seraj Abdal Rahman, Hamad Jabir O Al-Kuwari and Safeldin Mohamed Mohamednour Salih from Qatar along with others Qazis, brokers and lodge owners.According to police a minor girl victim tipped off the police after she was interviewed by a sheikh for marriage. “The moment these sheikhs land in Hyderabad, the brokers provide them transport and accommodation. The brokers play an important role, as they identify families who belong to economically poor background and convince them to marry their daughters to these sheikhs. They conduct interviews with the minor girls and help them communicate with them,” said Hyderabad police commissioner M Mahendar Reddy.Police have identified 35 such brokers in the old city, of which 25 were identified as women brokers. The police also raided four lodges in Old City and caught one of the Oman national red-handed, while he was about to marry a 15-year-old minor girl. The agents are also responsible for coordination with Qazis in making sure that all forged documents like Aadhar cards, birth certificates and marriage certificates are ready, and then the victims are sent to their husbands in the Gulf .“The sheikhs spend huge amounts of money on the brokers ranging from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 20 lakh for the minor girls. However, the brokers pay almost nothing to the family of the victim. The victims are later exploited not only by the sheikhs but they also pass on the women to others once they reach the Gulf countries,” added the Hyderabad police commissioner. Police have booked the accused under Sections 420 (cheating and dishonesty), 370 (exploitation), rape and POCSO Act.