The Delhi Police carried out a successful raid in Swaroop Nagar, outer North Delhi, on Thursday night, rescuing four women and a 15-year-old girl from a sex racket. The operation followed a tip-off from a non-governmental organization (NGO) which reported that women and girls were being forced into prostitution at the location.
Three main suspects, identified as Devesh Yadav, Arjun Kumar, and Bharti, were under investigation. To build sufficient evidence, a decoy operation was organized by the police in coordination with NGO staffers Shivam and Jyoti. Shivam posed as a customer and transferred an advance payment of Rs 1,000 via a QR code provided by the broker. Once he reached the premises and signaled, police teams moved in swiftly and found five women and five men on-site.
The five men detained include Yadav, Kumar, and three others named Sajid, Akhilesh, and Rajnish, some of whom were identified as customers. Interrogations revealed that three women admitted they were hired by the suspects to provide sexual services. The victims rescued included women aged 35, 50, 25, and 52, along with the minor girl. The 15-year-old has been shifted to a shelter home in Bakhtawarpur for counseling and rehabilitation support.
During the raid, police recovered 35 condom packets and a diary containing the QR code used for payments, indicating the systematic operation of the racket. A medical examination revealed that one of the women rescued is pregnant.
A case has been registered at the Swaroop Nagar police station under various sections of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act of 1956, with additional charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other relevant laws to ensure comprehensive legal action.
This incident highlights the persistent issue of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in India. Punjab and surrounding areas have long struggled with trafficking, particularly of women from rural communities coerced into the sex trade. Reports show a concerning rise in such cases, with cities like Chandigarh ranking among the worst for crimes against women, recording 138 incidents in 2021 alone.
Authorities emphasize that awareness, education, and cooperation among local communities, NGOs, and law enforcement are crucial in tackling trafficking and safeguarding vulnerable individuals. The successful rescue operation underscores the importance of continued vigilance and collective efforts to prevent exploitation and provide protection to victims.
