On 5th February 2025, we learned about a child being exploited at a guest house in Kolkata. As we investigated the case, we learned she was being exploited by 33 year old Sarika, a pimp that was wanted in other trafficking cases and had been absconding.
After collecting sufficient information, we called the Officer in Charge, OC, of the Anti Human Trafficking Unit, Kolkata. He asked us to come to his office and meet him.
On 7th February we were at the AHTU office and we shared all the information and evidence we had. The OC of AHTU agreed to initiate a raid on the 11th February. He also requested us to get the victim’s documents for age proof so that the rescue could happen immediately and there would be no delays.
On 10th February we called the OC to confirm the rescue for the next day. He asked us to meet him at 12 pm the next day at his office. We informed him that we weren’t able to find any documents of the victim stating that she is a minor but we were certain (going by prima facie) that the victim was between 15-16 years. The OC took our word and decided to go ahead with the rescue.
On 11th February we got our team ready and discussed the tactical plan for the rescue operation. We were at the AHTU by 12 pm. We submitted the complaint letter to the OC. Along with a team from the AHTU, we all left for Kasba Police Station.
We were at the Kasba Police Station at 2:06 pm and together the AHTU, Kasba Police team and our team discussed rescue strategies.
At 2:26 pm the police and our team raided the guest house in Kolkata. We found the child we were tracking on the 2nd floor. As the police and our team checked all the rooms, most of them were occupied by adult couples. There were no more minors present. The police allowed the couples to leave. The police detained the male guest house manager and the female brothel keeper who was also the pimp. When the police interrogated the brothel keeper, she denied knowing that the victim was a minor. The brothel keeper was ‘wanted accused’ in a few other trafficking cases and had been absconding for a long time.
The police then interviewed Awanti. We learned that she was 15 years old and was being sexually exploited for over a month in different brothels situated inside hotels and private establishments. The owner of the hotel had raped her on 8th February, just three days before she was rescued.
As per the new Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita(BNSS – which came into force in 2024 to reform India’s criminal justice system) the police took a video recording of the entire search procedure. They then collected incriminating evidence from the guest house. After the police completed all their post-rescue procedures, the victim, the two accused and our team left for Kasaba Police Station.
The police registered the First Information Report(FIR). We accompanied Awanti for her general medical examination.
The brothel keeper and pimp, 33 year old Sarika and the guest house manager 46 year old Jayant were taken into police custody and then arrested.
On 3:48 am on 12th February, Awanti was placed in a shelter home for children.
Later that day we accompanied Awanti to the Kolkata Child Welfare Committee(CWC).
Awanti’s 164 statement (a statement that a victim shares about her sexual exploitation ordeal) was recorded before the POCSO court on the 18th February.
Awanti is currently safe at the shelter home in Kolkata.
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