12 June,2012 07:01 AM IST | | Akela
The Social Service (SS) branch of Mumbai police have arrested a native of Uttar Pradesh for allegedly trying to sell her 15-year-old niece's virginity to a decoy customer in Malad for Rs 1.5 lakh. Police have also arrested two pimps who were allegedly helping the accused make the sale.u00a0
According to Vasant Dhoble, assistant commissioner of police for the SS branch, they received information that Seema Thakur (40), who hails from Mirzapur district, UP, was forcing her minor niece into the flesh trade. Dhoble then sent a fake customer to negotiate with the aunt and pimps.
After receiving clarification on the deal and agreeing on a location, a police team raided Sampoorna Hotel on New Link Road, Malad (West) on Friday night, and rescued the young girl. She was then sent to Mahila Sudhar Griha. During interrogations, cops learnt that Thakur, who also has a house at Malwani, had promised her sister's daughter that she would find her a good job in Mumbai. The girl arrived in the city last week, but instead of delivering on her promises, Thakur tried to sell her to customers for Rs 1.5 lakh, telling them that she was a virgin.
She was arranging customers through two pimps - Asha Kuldeep Singh Baka and Asma Shaukat Mulla - whom she had promised a commission of Rs 20,000 each. "We have arrested Asha, Seema and Asma under Sections 4 and 5 of the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA). The court has granted police custody till June 12. We are trying to verify if Seema has forced and sold other girls into prostitution," said Vinod Patil, investigation officer.u00a0