Police have launched a massive search and cordoned off several neighbouring areas after 17 girls took off from the mahila sudhargriha (remand home) at Govandi on Sunday night.
The episode appears planned as the absconders used a car and an auto rickshaw stationed outside the institution to make the getaway. The girls, who were allegedly being sent to Dubai by a prostitution syndicate, were rescued by ACP Vasant Dhoble from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, last month.
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According to police sources, the girls had not been released from the remand home, as cops were demanding several documents and completion of other formalities. The dodgers then managed to speak with some acquaintances and arrange an escape.
Around 8.30 pm, the women had gathered near the backdoor. A Tata Sumo and an auto rickshaw were stationed outside. The runaways were able to break open the back door and scale the boundary wall.
DCP Vijay Vatkar said, “We are investigating the exact sequence of events and have cordoned off several areas. Search operations are on.”u00a0