expression, godan verb (-ru)
fall into another's hands; pass into someone else's possession
Used when something (property, rights, control) is transferred to another person, often with a nuance of loss or change of ownership.
その土地は人手に渡ってしまった。
The land ended up in someone else's hands.
貴重な資料が人手に渡るのを
Prevent valuable materials from falling into the hands of others.