Youth rescues girl from dance bar, plans to marry her

NAGPUR: Though forced into bar dancers' profession three years ago, Aaliya (name changed), now 18, was always hoping to come out of it. Her dream to start a respectful life is set to become a reality as a youth from other community has proposed to marry her.
In love with Aaliya for last four years, Sunil Thakur approached social worker Nutan Rewatkar who helped him free her from her aunt who forced her into the profession.
Aaliya told cops that Bobby Khan tortured her and forced to dance at bars in Mumbai. Her aunt was also planning to put her into flesh trade. Thakur, who promised the cops to marry the girl, told TOI that "Though forced into the trade, Aaliya was always good at heart," he said.
Love blossomed between Aaliya and Thakur in 2007 when they were staying in Lakadganj area. After Aaliya appeared for her tenth board examination, she was taken to Mumbai by aunt Bobby (38). "Her aunt had promised her a good job without affecting her studies. After reaching Mumbai, she beat her up and then forced her to dance at bars," said Rewatkar.
Her mother told police that after death of Aaliya's father, Bobby gave them shelter. She also paid school fees of Aaliya and her four younger sisters. "Later, she took her to Mumbai giving us false assurances. When we learnt truth, we convinced and pleaded her to send Aaliya back. But she threatened to render her homeless," said her mother who is suffering from typhoid.
Rewatkar said that Bobby had even taken Aaliya's two sisters to Mumbai last month. "But she brought them back on Friday after police warning," said Rewatkar.
Bobby would bring Aaliya to the city once or twice a year for festivals.
"Whenever Aaliya was in city, she contacted Thakur. Though both tried hard to contact police, Bobby would threaten her of throwing her family out of the house," she said.
Aaliya's mother claimed that when Aaliya tried to flee home two years back, Bobby had threatened to set her ablaze. Bobby knew about Aaliya's affection towards Thakur and had lodged a fake police complaint at Lakadganj about Thakur planning to abduct her, her mother said.
Since last four years, Thakur and Aaliya's mother were trying to find a way to rescue her. Their efforts showed results when they met Rewatkar. Aaliya's mother narrated her daughter's plight while Thakur informed Rewatkar about the timing when Bobby would bring Aaliya to the city.
Aaliya was brought to city last week by Bobby for a religious function. Thakur informed Rewatkar who then contacted additional commissioner of police Ravindra Kadam on Thursday, who ordered the respective police station to raid the place.
Though cops showed leniency, Thakur took them to Bobby's residence where she was locked in a room. Aaliya banged the door from inside and caught cops' attention. Lakadganj police have arrested Bobby Khan.