On the day the Supreme Court called for legalising prostitution, Bipin Kumar Singh posed as a wannabe escort and found there were several jobs for those interested
On the day the Supreme Court called for legalising prostitution, Bipin Kumar Singh posed as a wannabe escort and found there were several jobs for those interested
Bipin: Hello, I found your number through online classifieds. I want to be a gigolo.
Vishal (escort agent): You have come to the right place. There is a lot of demand for gigolos.u00a0 (Speaks in a confident tone)
Bipin: My friends want to join your agency. We want to earn a lot of money.
Vishal: All the details are given on our website. Fill them up and you will get a call from us.
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While the Supreme Court is talking about legalising prostitution, it's business as usual for male escort agencies.
MiD DAY found several recruitment advertisements for men interested in becoming gigolos.
One ad from a Mumbai-based escort agency asked interested people to contact the agency manager with complete physical details.
It went "Do you want to become a gigolo? Want to earn big money by giving sexual pleasure to our female clients (Indian and foreign clients)..."
Another ad claims that their clients were sophisticated and rich and would hence allow the gigolo to stay
with them in three and five-star hotels and also offer good gifts.
An ad of a third escort agency said they were looking for "gentlemen" to satisfy women physically and mentally. "You can even go with them for a vacation if they want. They will pay you well," it continued.
Like all the above three escort agencies this reporter called,u00a0 Vishal, an agent, too directed him to their website, elitejoinescort.escortsite.com
Dirty Politicians
But only Rahul, an escort agent from Delhi who provides women, wanted to talk about the Supreme Court's statement.
He believes it's unlikely the government will allow such a major move. "It's public servants who give us maximum business. So, if it is legalised, politicians will come under the scanner."
12 lakh
The number of sex workers in India according to the Aids Control Organisation
Supreme Court said
The court asked Solicitor General of India Gopal Subramaniam, When you say it is the world's oldest profession and when you are not able to curb it by laws, why don't you legalise it? You can then monitor the trade, rehabilitate and provide medical aid to those involved.
u00a0
They (sex workers) have been operating in one way or the other and nowhere in the world have they been able to curb it by legislation. In some cases, the trade is carried out in a sophisticated manner. So, why don't you legalise it?
In Numbers |
Rs 25,000: The one-time registration fee gigolos pay escort agencies |