In a joint operation, the Mumbai police and members of a special squad of the western region busted a prostitution racket in Khar (W).

Five accused have been arrested and two victims who were forced into prostitution rescued. Those accused have been identified as Manoj Mahesh Yadav (25), Hari Mittal Yadav (45), Puran Beni Yadav (40), Pradeep Babulal Yadav (25) and Nagesg Phulchand Yadav (34). According to the police, a plainclothes policeman posed as a customer and met those accused at Neelkamal Building in Khar (W). The policeman was apparently approached by the accused and told about the victims. Policemen then barged in and caught them. "We were after them from many days, but were unable to catch them red handed. This time we were successful," said a police officer.

The two rescued girls are reportedly not from the city. They were forced into the profession and housed in the building's garage. They have been taken to rescue homes. Police officials said of the case, "The accused would charge anything between Rs 4,000 and Rs 5000 from customers. The girls were forced to engage in sexual activity with at least three customers daily."