Sex racket busted, minor girl rescued

Navi Mumbai police officials have busted a sex racket and rescued a 14-year-old girl who was forced into prostitution business.

On Friday, the minor was rescued from Airoli area after Vashi police officials received a tip-off about a prostitution business in a ‘sophisticated’ society. A woman identified as Aruna Shaikh (40) who allegedly pushed young girls into the prostitution racket was arrested. The woman would lure minor girls from poor families into prostitution by promising to pay them good money.

Officials said she had two flats in the society and would call customers to the building. The rescued girl was promised money for education in return for doing household work at the flat. Two months ago, she called the girl home, gave her '500 and then asked her bring a dress. The girl was initially excited to get a new dress, but was in for a serious jolt when the woman forced her to sleep with a customer.

As the girl is a minor, the police has decided to take strictest action possible and will register a case under section 376 (rape). “We are investigating some people who were involved with these minors and in the coming days might make more arrests in the case,” said an officer who did not wish to be named.