M’luru: Seven more arrested for prostitution racket at apartment in Nandigudde

Mangaluru: The total arrests in the prostitution racket at Nandigudda of Attavar here rose to 10 with seven more persons being arrested by police.

On Wednesday, February 9, Mangaluru Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar said that Sandeep (33) from Hosabettu and Cyprian Andrade (40) from Kaikamba, Mohammed Sharif (46) from Udyavar Manjeshwar, Rahmath (48) from Talapady, Sana (24) from Kannur, Umar Kunhi (43) from Naringana and Mohammed Hanif (46) from Bendorewell were arrested for their involvement in the flesh trade of minors and women.

It may be recalled that minor girls and women were forced into prostitution with false entrapments and by blackmail in SMR Liana Apartments near Nandigudda of Attavar in the city.  Three persons were already nabbed in connection with the case.

The latest arrests were done based on a complaint of a minor who is a victim in the case. The Compol said that 7 among the 10 arrested ran an “organized prostitution racket” whereas three were clients who sexually assaulted the minor.

Narrating the sequence of events, the commissioner said, that the minor got trapped by the organised was first lured by one of the accused by giving her gifts and money and later sexually assaulted her. The accused threatened to publish her videos online and used the pretext to push further into prostitution. “The victim was sexually abused six times over the period of three months,” he added.

Meanwhile, the accused have been booked under POCSO Act. A probe has been launched to find whether the gang operated elsewhere, he said.

Shashi Kumar expressed his surprise that the prostitution racket continued to operate in a commercial-cum-residential apartment for two and a half months without anyone noticing. He asked the residents to approach the police if they find any unlawful activities in their vicinity.