Major Human Trafficking Bust in Delhi: 11 Women, Including 5 Minors, Rescued from Dwarka Brothel
In a significant crackdown on organized crime, the Delhi Police have rescued eleven women, five of whom are minors, from a clandestine prostitution racket operating out of a residential house in the Dwarka area of southwest Delhi. The operation, which unfolded on Friday, led to the immediate arrest of eight customers and two suspected brothel operators from the scene.
NGO Tip-Off Leads to Dramatic Raid
The police action was initiated following a crucial tip-off provided by the non-governmental organization, Association for Voluntary Action (AVA). The NGO alerted authorities at the Dabri police station after conducting a covert investigation. To verify the allegations, AVA members posed as decoy customers and engaged with suspected pimps. During these interactions, photographs of the girls were shared for 'selection,' confirming the existence of a well-organized trafficking and prostitution network.
Disturbing Conditions Inside the Dwarka House
What appeared to be an ordinary family home from the outside concealed a horrifying reality. The premises were locked from all sides, with seven dogs kept inside, likely as a security measure to intimidate and control the victims. Officers were particularly shocked upon discovering a minor girl hiding inside an almirah during the raid. She was visibly shaken, scared, and trembling when rescued, highlighting the severe trauma endured by the victims.
During subsequent counselling sessions, the rescued girls revealed they had been subjected to strict surveillance and were not permitted to leave the house. They were under constant monitoring and control, stripped of their basic freedoms and dignity.
Trafficking Network Spans Multiple States
According to police investigations, the victims were trafficked from states including West Bengal, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh. They were lured with false promises of employment and better opportunities, only to be forced into bonded conditions upon reaching Delhi. This modus operandi is a common tactic used by traffickers to exploit vulnerable individuals seeking a better life.
Manish Sharma, Senior Director of AVA, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "Children are lured from neighbouring states, trafficked and pushed into such conditions." AVA is a partner of Just Rights for Children, a national child rights network comprising over 250 NGO partners working across 450 districts to combat child abuse, exploitation, and trafficking.
Legal Action and Ongoing Efforts
A case has been registered under Section 143(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The police have assured that the rescued women and minors are receiving necessary medical care, psychological support, and rehabilitation. The swift coordination between the NGO and law enforcement—specifically the Deputy Commissioner of Police, South West District, and the Special Police Unit for Women and Children—was pivotal in the success of this operation.
This incident underscores the persistent challenge of human trafficking in urban centers and the critical role of community vigilance and NGO partnerships in combating such heinous crimes. Authorities continue to investigate the broader network involved in this racket to ensure all perpetrators are brought to justice.
