Purnea: In a major crackdown against a group indulged in luring and forcing minor girls in prostitution work, police apprehended more than 30 individuals alongside rescuing 11 minor girls from Khuskibagh area, officials said on Saturday, February1.
A total of 26 women and six male individuals were arrested during the crackdown. The arrested persons were indulged in operating an illegal prostitution racket in the said locality, police said.
According to the police, the racket was headed by Rishabh Shah and Rajeev Shah, both residents of Rajnagar Hansda of Purnea district. The other individuals arrested in the crackdown were identified as Abdul Salam alias Sonu, Nasim, Saffiquddin and Guddu Kumar.
Though, reports in media suggest that a number of individuals of the said group allegedly faked their identity to lure girls who were subsequently forced into prostitution business. The gang was reportedly headed by Aftab who posed as Ankit Tiwari to lure girls into prostitution work.
Its been further reported that two of the individuals Mausam Khan and Shakib also faked their identity by posing as Rishbh Shah and Rajeev Shah. The key accused Aftab is reported to be on the run.
The racket was busted after the police received information about an illegal prostitution racket being operated in the city. Upon receiving the information, a police team led by SDPO-Sadar soon reached the locality and apprehended four individuals who were travelling in a vehicle near Khuskibagh area.
The police team then raided the locality subsequently and rescued 11 minor girls who were forcibly kept in prostitution business being operated from the city’s red light area.
“Information was received about a few individuals running an illegal prostitution racket. A team was formed which initiated an enquiry. 11 members were rescued following raids on separate places. 26 female members and 6 male were apprehended who were involved in operating the racket. Preliminary enquiry reveals that the rescued individuals were forced into the prostitution business,” informed an official in a press briefing on Saturday.
Those rescued were forced into prostitution business and a few of them are residents of other States. The accused have also seized identity cards of a few individuals. The statements of rescued minors will be recorded before the court, he added. The case is being investigated further.
