Mumbai: In a significant operation, the Anti-Human Trafficking Cell of the Mumbai Police has busted a prostitution racket operating in RNA Park, Chembur, Vashinaka. The raid led to the rescue of a 15-year-old girl and another woman, and registered a case against the alleged pimp, Vatsala Ramesh Shinde, 60, at the RCF police station.
Minor and Woman Rescued From Chembur Flat During Police Raid
According to the police, the AHTC received a tip-off about an illegal prostitution business being run from a flat in Building No. 25/O. Acting swiftly on this information, a police team conducted a raid on the afternoon of August 2. The team successfully apprehended the accused, Shinde, inside room number 204.
Police officials confirmed that Shinde was allegedly operating a sex racket from the premises. During the raid, police rescued a 15-year-old girl and another woman who were allegedly forced into prostitution by the accused.
Victims Shifted to Safety; Mobile and Cash Seized
Following the medical examination, the rescued minor girl was immediately placed in the care of a children's home in Dongri, while the adult woman was moved to a women's shelter in Deonar. The police also seized Rs 4,000 and a mobile phone from the accused woman.
Police Book 60-Year-Old Accused Under POCSO, JJ, BNS and ITP Acts
Police Head Constable Rashmi Sharad Halankar filed the complaint, and a case has been registered against the accused, Shinde, under sections 98, 143(3), and 144 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, along with sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, sections 16, 17, and 18 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and sections 81 and 87 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.
The police have stated that the accused woman, Shinde, has been issued a notice under section 43(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Act as the investigation continues.
