The minor girl was later subjected to sexual exploitation after being injected with drugs. The minor was repeatedly trafficked to multiple cities for prostitution against her will, by a trafficking network, officials said
Three Bangladeshi nationals have been arrested in the matter, an official statement said. Representational Pic/File
A 12-year-old girl and a woman from Bangladesh were rescued from a prostitution racket being operated in Naigaon area of Vasai in Maharashtra's Palghar, officials said, adding that three people were held in connection with the matter.
According to the officials, on July 26, a joint rescue operation was carried out by Exodus Road India Foundation and Harmony Foundation in close coordination with the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), Mira-Bhayander, led by of Police Inspector Devidas Handore under the supervision of MBVV Police Commissioner Niket Kaushik.
A raid was conducted at a building in Naigaon (East).
Police officials found that a 12-year-and-5-month-old girl from Bangladesh was allegedly being pushed into prostitution, she was successfully rescued by the officials.
An official statement issued by the Harmony Foundation said that after allegedly failing a school exam, the minor was lured by a woman from her village and she was illegally trafficked across the border to Kolkata in West Bengal where her fake documents were made. She was then flown to Mumbai, where she was held captive in Naigaon.
"At Naigaon they stayed with an old man and his wife along with 7 to 8 girls. The man gave her an injection and raped her and since then she was offered to many unknown customers without her consent," said the statement.
It said that she was later subjected to sexual exploitation after being injected with drugs. The minor was repeatedly trafficked to multiple cities for prostitution against her will, by a trafficking network.
"She had returned to Naigaon just two days prior to the rescue. The other 20-year-old Bangladeshi woman was also rescued from the same location and she too had been a victim of trafficking and exploitation. Three Bangladeshi nationals have been arrested in the matter," the official statement said.
Harmony Foundation Founder Dr Abraham Mathai said that the foundation was proud that it could save a minor girl from this racket. The rescue underscores the urgent need for vigilance, inter-agency coordination, and community reporting to combat the deep-rooted issue of human trafficking. The rescued victims are now safe and will be given necessary rehabilitation and support.
Mathai, the former Vice Chairman of the Minorities Commission further stated, "Stricter laws, better enforcement, and widespread awareness is needed to prevent such incidents."
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