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