Payment through QR codes, drugs and sex: Underage girls trafficked in plain sight

Nawada (The Uttam Hindu) : Police in Nawada district have busted a major prostitution racket and rescued two minor girls. This includes a 16-year-old girl whose family had filed a missing and abducted report at the police station seven months ago. This illegal business was being operated in the densely populated area of ​​Navinagar.

Two pimps and two customers were arrested during the police raid. Condom packets, sex-enhancing drugs, cigarettes, cash, and scanners and devices used for online payments were also seized.

Action taken on secret information:

Sadar SDPO Hulas Kumar told in the press conference that on the night of January 29, the police received information that illegal prostitution of minor girls was being carried out in Shravan Yadav's house in Navinagar locality of Nagar police station area. After verification of the information, on the instructions of the Superintendent of Police, a special raiding team was formed under the leadership of SDPO, including the city police station in-charge and women police personnel. During the raid, illegal prostitution was confirmed on the spot, from where two minor girls were rescued safely and four people were arrested.

Payments were taken both in cash and online

The SDPO said that four men and two minor girls were present at the scene during the raid. Two of the accused were found in compromising positions with the girls, while two others were found operating the business. Preliminary investigations revealed that the business had been operating for about a month. ₹10,820 in cash and digital devices for accepting payments from customers were also recovered from the scene, indicating that the racket was being run professionally.

Two brokers and two customers arrested

According to police, the arrested accused include Roshan Kumar alias Saheb Kumar, a resident of Sohsarai in Nalanda district, and Gulshan Kumar, a resident of Nardiganj in Nawada district, who acted as brokers. Tanu Kumar and Priyanshu Kumar were arrested as two customers. During interrogation, all four accused confessed to their crimes. All are being remanded to judicial custody, while a search is underway for the other accused.

The gang leader is Sanjay Singh, with links to other districts as well

Police say the racket busted in Nawada is linked to a larger prostitution ring previously uncovered in Rajgir, Nalanda district. Sanjay Singh is said to be the ringleader of this network. The role of Shravan Yadav, the owner of the house where this illegal business was operating, is also under suspicion and is being investigated.

The two rescued minor girls told police that they were forced into prostitution. According to police, the gang lured helpless and misguided girls into this quagmire by promising them jobs or love.