Acting on tip-off, officers of the Social Security Cell of Pune Crime Branch swung into action and caught the accused red-handed for luring the minor into the sex trade. The accused has been identified as Devendra Ramchandra Dongre (59), a resident of Uttam Nagar in Warje. His wife Savita is still absconding.

The rescued minor girl — who has studied till standard 7 — has been sent to the government-run rescue home at Nana Peth. The victim’s father and stepfather come from weak socio-economic backgrounds. The girl’s brother is mentally challenged and has been missing since many days. The victim has a younger sister who is 7-years-old.