Bangladeshi girl, 12, raped by over 200 near Mumbai
What's the story
A 12-year-old Bangladeshi girl was rescued from a prostitution racket in Naigaon, Vasai, Maharashtra. The rescue operation was carried out on July 26 by NGOs Exodus Road India Foundation and Harmony Foundation in collaboration with the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of Mira-Bhayandar Vasai-Virar (MBVV) Police. So far, 10 people have been arrested in connection with the case.
Trafficking details
Girl was 1st taken to Nadiad in Gujarat
The girl, who had run away from home due to fear of strict parents after failing a school subject, was trafficked into India by an acquaintance. She was first taken to Nadiad in Gujarat, where she was sexually abused by over 200 men over three months. Abraham Mathai, founder-chairman of Harmony Foundation, expressed concern over the girl's ordeal and demanded justice for her.
Exploitation details
She was then flown to Mumbai and held captive
After being trafficked across the border to Kolkata, a fake Aadhaar card was made for her. She was then flown to Mumbai and held captive in Naigaon. At Naigaon, she stayed with an old couple along with seven to eight other girls. An old man allegedly gave her an injection and raped her before offering her to many unknown customers without consent.
Child exploitation
Activist highlights larger problem of child exploitation
Activist Madhu Shankar highlighted the larger problem of child exploitation, including forced begging and hormonal injections to induce early puberty. "I have often seen minor girls begging in Vashi and Belapur areas... They are handled by one or two elderly women who also push them into prostitution," Shankar was quoted as saying by TOI. Police commissioner Niket Kaushik assured that MBVV police are working hard to uncover the entire network involved in this trafficking case.