Couple accused of forcing teen into flesh trade arrested

Nashik: A woman, who has been accused of

pressing

her 16-year-old stepdaughter into

prostitution

for money, was arrested along with her

husband

by the Special Squad of the city police on Monday afternoon.

The girl was rescued and the couple was arrested under various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

On Monday, at 2 pm, the police got a call regarding

flesh

trade in the Ambad area. The informant said a couple had pressed a 16-year-old girl into prostitution for financial gains.

API Kundan Sonone of the Special Squad and his team, along with PSI Gayatri Jadhav, a government photographer, two panchs and a decoy customer, went to the area concerned. The decoy customer was sent to the identified house. He held talks with the teen’s parents and paid them the money. He then signalled the police team waiting at a distance from the house. the house was raided and the girl was rescued.

The police have arrested a 35-year-old woman and her 40-year-old husband in the case. The police recovered Rs 13,950 in cash and articles, collectively worth Rs 92,000 from the scene.

Sonone said that during the course of the investigation, we will find out more details.

The Special Squad has been formed to take action against illegal businesses within the jurisdiction of the police commissionerate. The squad often gets tip-offs from citizens.

The police said the Special Squad has been taking action against illegal businesses — including gambling dens and illegal sale of liquor — across the city. If citizens have any information about any illegal activity in their neighbourhoods, they can contact the police control room at 0253/2305233 and 2305234.

The police commissioner has also warned the in-charge officers of police stations of strict action if they are unable to give a valid explanation on why no action was taken against the illegal businesses in their respective jurisdictions.


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