Medical tests on the Bangladeshi women rescued recently from an inter-state prostitution racket operating across the city show up alarming statistic
All women, aged between 23 and 30, were rescued over the past few weeks. Representation pic/istock
What began as a routine crackdown on human trafficking has taken a grim and alarming turn. Medical tests have reportedly confirmed that seven out of the 14 Bangladeshi women recently rescued from a prostitution racket in Mumbai have tested positive for HIV, according to sources.
All 14 women, aged between 23 and 30, were rescued over the past few weeks during a series of raids across different parts of the city. The operation was part of a larger investigation into illegal Bangladeshi migrants forced into sex trafficking.
One of the biggest breakthroughs came from a raid in Malwani, where three Bangladeshi nationals — including two women and a suspected pimp — were arrested. During the interrogation police discovered that the women were operating across cities such as Delhi and Jaipur.
Rescued women are currently housed at a state-run reformatory home. Representation pic/istock
Following leads from earlier arrests, a team from Zone XI police rescued additional women from areas including Grant Road. All the rescued women underwent medical screening, which revealed that nearly half were HIV-positive, according to officials.
Trafficked through India
Investigators discovered that the women were trafficked into India and moved through major cities before being pushed into prostitution in Mumbai. They were kept in rented flats and lodges and coerced into the sex trade; some paid a fixed monthly “salary” of Rs 40,000–Rs 50,000, while others were paid per client visit.
Many of the women reportedly entered India six to seven months ago, while a few had been living here for over a year. “All 14 women are currently housed at a state-run reformatory home, pending a court order for their deportation back to Bangladesh,” a senior officer confirmed. When contacted, Police Inspector Maya Danake of Malwani police station denied the allegation that any of the women had tested positive, but health department sources maintain otherwise.
‘Why we need sex education’
Reacting to the shocking case, Padma Shri awardee and veteran sexologist Dr Prakash Kothari stressed the urgent need for comprehensive sex education in India. “We are battling two major crises — population explosion and rising STIs, especially HIV/AIDS. Both can be addressed through structured sex education. By that, I don’t mean just teaching about sex — I mean teaching responsibility,” Dr Kothari told mid-day.
Founder of the Department of Sexual Medicine at KEM Hospital and GS Medical College, Dr Kothari added, “Using condoms can prevent both overpopulation and STIs. But that requires behavioural change. Sex education must teach not just how and when to have sex, but when not to. In countries where this has been implemented properly, rape, HIV, and STI rates have dropped.”
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