Fight pre-arrest bails of sex racket accused: Bombay HC

Mumbai: The Bombay high court has directed the law and judiciary department to consider challenging anticipatory bails of seven accused in a sex racket, including a couple who got young girls from Rajasthan, raised them, and then pushed them into the flesh trade when they grew older.

The court also suggested that the department form a committee comprising the IO, public prosecutor and head of prosecution to decide on whether to challenge anticipatory bails of the accused in the sex racket.

A division bench of Justice Ranjit More and Justice Anuja Prabhudessai was hearing a petition filed by a victim alleging that police did nothing after she lodged a complaint against the sex and prostitution racket at Lokhandwala.

Advocate Rizwan Merchant appearing for the petitioner pointed out that while the accused were arrested, the police did not conduct a deeper investigation to get to the root of the racket which implied police had patronage of authorities.

“There have been instances of victims being taken to Dubai to be part of the racket and it could not have been without the connivance of authorities. However, as the police did not investigate it, the CBI should be made a respondent too,” he said.

The court was taken aback by the disclosure and demanded to know from police as to why the accused were let off so easily and why their bail applications were not challenged. The counsel for the state informed the court that the law and judiciary department had refused permission to apply for cancellation of bail for the accused, following which the court asked Advocate General Mohit Deo to respond.

AG Deo said, “The state has decided to challenge the bail application and apply for cancellation of the same in the lower court.” After hearing Deo’s submissions, the court posted the matter for hearing on May 3.