New Delhi, April 9 The Delhi Police rescued eight women, including a minor, after it busted an alleged human trafficking and prostitution racket operating in central Delhi's Sadanand Marg area, an official said on Thursday.
A raid was conducted on the night of April 8 following specific information regarding immoral activities at a building near Ajmeri Gate.
"Acting on the tip-off, a team from Kamla Market police station, along with other units, conducted a raid at the suspected premises," an officer said.
During the raid, police found multiple women and some men inside the premises. Upon verification, it was established that the location was being used for organised prostitution and trafficking. Eight women were rescued, including a 17-year-old girl who had been trafficked from West Bengal, police said.
They said the minor disclosed that she had been brought to Delhi by a woman identified as Alia alias Pinki and later handed over to a couple who were allegedly running the illegal operation. The police said the racket trafficked women from various states including West Bengal and Assam, and even Nepal, and engaged them in immoral activities.
"Two men, identified as Gopi Ram Parihar alias Suraj and Luma Kant Pandey, both residents of Nepal, were arrested from the spot. They were working as managers, handling cash transactions and coordinating activities at the premises," a senior police officer said.
A substantial quantity of incriminating material was recovered during the operation, including Rs 1.97 lakh in cash, foreign currency and other materials, besides narcotics, he added.
Efforts are underway to trace and apprehend other accused, including the main operators of the racket who are currently absconding.