2 minor girls rescued from GT Road brothel
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 4
The Delhi Police rescued two minor girls from a brothel on GB Road, where they were allegedly forced to work by being portrayed as adults using forged Aadhaar cards, officials said on Sunday.
Two individuals, including a woman, have been arrested in connection with the incident. The rescue operation took place during a routine check on the night of July 16-17 by the SHO of the Kamla Market police station and his team.
During the inspection, the police found two girls who appeared to be minors and were unable to respond properly to their questions.
Upon further inquiry, it was discovered that both girls were indeed minors, aged about 17 years. They were immediately rescued and a counsellor from an NGO was called to assist them. The girls were subsequently taken to a shelter home.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central District, M Harsha Vardhan said, “The girls had been brought to the brothel by an individual named Kiran Devi a year ago, with the assistance of two others, Rishi and Sanjay. Following their rescue, medical examinations and statements were recorded at Lok Nayak Hospital on July 18.”
The investigation revealed that Lala Ram, one of the accused, had tampered with the Aadhaar cards to falsely portray the girls as adults.
Ram was arrested from his residence, and various items, including a mobile phone, a digital notebook, photocopies of Aadhaar cards, a PAN card and passport-sized photographs, were recovered.
Two cases have been registered against the accused under relevant sections, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
Earlier, on July 12, another minor was rescued from GB Road. Legal procedures under the Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act led to an eviction-cum-sealing order for the brothel building involved in the case. “This will act as a deterrent for persons involved in such activities,” the officer said.
