Jaipur: Six minor girls between the ages of 12 and 17 have been rescued from an alleged sexual exploitation network in Jhalawar district, with police saying five people arrested in this connection Friday included the girls’ relatives.An FIR has been registered under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and the Pocso Act, with police teams currently searching for other people suspected of involvement in the network.“Medical and digital evidence has indicated that five of the six girls were sexually exploited repeatedly, while investigation into the sixth girl’s case is continuing,” SP Amit Kumar told TOI.Further, two of the rescued girls have also been diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and are undergoing vaccination and treatment, police said.SP Kumar said the network came to light after his office received a confidential complaint alleging that a few families living in settlements under Bhawani Mandi police station were forcing their minor daughters into prostitution.The complaint alleged that customers were being brought in from outside the settlements, with relatives of the girls and other local intermediaries collecting payments.“A special team led by ASP Ayush Shrotriya conducted a decoy operation using concealed cameras to gather evidence. The recordings showed three of the rescued girls being presented to customers and family members and intermediaries demanding money for sexual acts,” Kumar said.Police raided the location in a coordinated operation on Nov 3 involving over 100 personnel and including female officers in plainclothes, leading to the six girls being rescued.They underwent medical examinations and were subsequently produced before a Child Welfare Committee, which directed that they be moved to a shelter for protection and rehabilitation.“We have constituted a special investigation team headed by an additional SP-rank officer to conduct further investigations,” SP Kumar said.Police identified the accused as Heera Bai (34), Dhapu Bai (35), Rodi Bai (32), Chhanmal (48) and Pappu (22). All five were remanded to police custody for three days by a local court on Friday.BOX:Six girls rescued: Minors aged between 12 and 17 freed from settlements in Bhawani MandiFive girls repeatedly exploited: Medical and digital evidence points to repeated sexual abuseRelatives among accused: Family members and local intermediaries allegedly facilitated the exploitation and collected moneyTwo girls diagnosed with STDs: Treatment and vaccination initiated under medical supervisionFive arrested, more suspects under probe: Police conducted raids with over 100 personnel; the search for others continues
