: A 12-year-old girl escaped from her house and approached officials when her mother reportedly tried to sell her to flesh trade organisers.
The victim told the police that her mother, T. Jaya Lakshmi, used to show porn films to her and pester her to get into flesh trade.
She was tortured when she refused to concede to her mother’s demand, the victim told the investigation officers.
‘Striking a deal’
According to the Women Development and Child Welfare (WD&CW) Department officials, the girl, a school dropout, and a resident of Kedareswarapeta in the city, escaped from her house a few days ago when she observed that Jaya Lakshmi was striking a deal with a person.
The girl with the help of a maid met a couple and urged them to save her, who in turn alerted the WD&CW Department officials. Staff of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) rescued the girl and shifted her to a home in Krishna district.
“I don’t know my father. My mother used to speak in Hindi to keep me in the dark about the happenings at the house. She used to show me to different persons who would visit the house frequently ,” the girl told The Hindu on Monday.
The girl also complained that the visitors used to behave indecently with her and watch porn films. But, Jaya Lakshmi never objected to their behaviour and instead harassed her, the girl alleged.
‘Victim in a state of shock’
District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) Ch. Vijay Kumar said the victim was in a state of shock.
“The victim said that Jaya Lakshmi is her step mother and was doing prostitution. The accused even detained the girl when she refused to budge,” the DCPO, who lodged a complaint with the police, said.
WD&CW Krishna District Project Director K. Krishna Kumari said that protection was given to the girl and instructions had been given to the ICPS staff to inquire into the case.
“We recorded the statement of the girl and are inquiring into the activities of Jaya Lakshmi. The accused would be taken into custody soon,” a police officer who is investigating the case, said.
