Pune: The Pune police on Sunday sealed four brothels in the Budhwar Peth red-light area where a minor girl from Bangladesh was allegedly held in confinement and forced into prostitution.The survivor, who has since reached adulthood, was rescued in Jan this year by the Faraskhana police. Following the rescue and subsequent investigation, deputy commissioner of police (Zone I) Krushikesh Rawale issued the orders to seal the establishments.“The brothels exploited the girl while she was a minor, keeping her in confinement for years. To prevent further exploitation of women and girls, we have decided to seal these premises,” DCP Rawale said.The action follows a formal complaint lodged by the Bangladeshi survivor in Jan. She detailed how she was forced into the flesh trade by brothel keepers and agents from her home country. Based on her testimony, a case was registered against eight individuals, including agents and brothel owners.According to police records, the woman was trafficked into India through a middleman in 2023 when she was just 15 years old. The case also highlighted a disturbing instance of administrative betrayal: the victim had previously attempted to escape by seeking help from a woman police constable. However, instead of helping her, the constable reportedly alerted the brothel keeper, resulting in the girl being returned to the brothel and forced back into prostitution. That constable, who was attached to the Faraskhana police station, has since been suspended.On Saturday night, DCP Rawale and a team from the Faraskhana police conducted raids on several other brothels. During the operation, they found three more Bangladeshi women, aged between 33 and 49, involved in the flesh trade. Police confirmed that these women were residing in India illegally, and further action is being taken.
