Two girls being pushed into flesh trade rescued

The SSB laid a trap and sent one of their own informants posing as the customer. After the information was verified, the team moved in and arrested the man, identified as M Sheikh. He was subsequently handed over to the Gamdevi police.

“Sheikh has been arrested under various sections of the IPC and Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA),” said Pravin Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Enforcement).

In another incident, the Malwani police rescued a 15-year-old girl before she could allegedly be sold by a 60-year-old woman, her son and daughter. According to police officers, the girl was their neighbour.

Two years ago, the woman’s son had allegedly raped her and promised to marry her to prevent her from approaching the police.

After waiting for two years, during which she became pregnant, the victim learned that the family was trying to sell her off, after which she approached the police. The woman, her son and daughter have been arrested.

Police said they were also wanted in a drug-peddling case. The girl has been sent to the hospital for a medical examination, officers said.