The Thane police on Sunday arrested a woman who is alleged to be an intermediary in the flesh trade for inflicting serious cut injuries on a young woman’s torso after she refused to join the trade.
The arrested person, Ruby Begum (34), operated a sex establishment in Bhiwandi, a powerloom town on the outskirts of Mumbai. The 24-year-old victim, who hails from Gujarat, was brought to Bhiwandi by one Aslam Sheikh — also a wanted accused — earlier this month, and sold to Ruby. Ruby allegedly attacked her when she refused to cooperate, said the police.
The victim was rescued by locals, and admitted to a local hospital. On Saturday, she was shifted to the Thane civic hospital. The police are yet to record her statement.
The victim was earlier branded with hot iron by Ruby. “She was subjected to cruelty and repeated torture when she refused to follow orders,” Assistant Police Inspector A.V. Naik said. The accused have been booked under Sections of the IPC and the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA).
