Four get bailin immoral trafficking case

Panaji: A North Goa court has granted bail to four accused in an immoral trafficking case after the court considered the statement of the victim, who was major in age and who stated that she voluntarily got involved in the prostitution business owing to her financial difficulties.

The victim, who was rescued and subsequently released from the protective home, told the magistrate that her husband is suffering from a disease and she required money for his medical expenditure and to look after her many children.

She stated that she came to Goa with friends in Aug 2025 and met one of the accused, who went with another accused to Ponda in a car. She stated that she was not forced into prostitution by any of the accused persons.

The accused stated that they were falsely arrested by Ponda police based on a false complaint of the father of the victim. The victim, however, stated that she voluntarily got involved in the sex line on account of personal difficulties and that no one forced her into prostitution.

The accused stated that there was no material on record to show that they induced, compelled, procured or forced her into prostitution.

According to the prosecution, on Aug 30, 2025, a raid was conducted with the help of a decoy customer and NGO, where they rescued the victim girl from a hotel in Ponda, who was induced and trafficked to Ponda.

Prosecution said two accused were caught red-handed while delivering the victim to a decoy customer. It said bank transactions showed multiple credits, and call records proved the victim was in contact with them. The accused allegedly knew of the trafficking and allowed the decoy to book a room, promising the victim would be delivered and acted in coordination during the operation.