Ugandan women say they were forced into flesh, drug trade

Under attack for defending Law Minister Somnath Bharti, the Delhi Government on Tuesday found fresh ammunition against the Delhi Police in the wake of allegations by three Ugandan women that they were forced into the flesh and drug trade by a compatriot in Khirki Extension, the locality where Mr. Bharti conducted a “vigilante” raid last month.

The Government accused the police of not acting against the prostitution racket being run in the area despite a First Information Report registered by the Ugandan women at the Malviya Nagar police station on Monday.

“The police have always lived in denial. But this complaint prima facie establishes that such rackets flourish in that area. We want to know why they have not conducted any raid there till now, despite three Ugandan women recording their statements before a magistrate last evening,” Delhi Urban Development Minister Manish Sisodia said.

Defending Mr. Bharti, the Minister said critics of the Law Minister should now reconcile with the fact that he was being targeted unnecessarily. “While the Minister was hounded from all quarters, the three women approached him seeking his help. They did not have any faith in the police and even their own embassy. They instead approached Mr. Bharti and exhibited faith in our government,” said Mr. Sisodia.

Stating that the accused named by the complainants was absconding and a hunt had been launched for her, a senior police officer said the three women had approached them alleging that they were kept in illegal confinement by a woman who brought them to India on the pretext of providing them jobs. She, however, forced them into prostitution and drug trade.

Based on the complaint, the police got the victims’ statements recorded before Deputy Commissioner (South and South-East Delhi) Nila Mohanan.

“On receipt of a written communication on Monday regarding their statements, we have registered a case under Sections 366, 368 and 384 (kidnapping and illegal confinement) of the India Penal Code,” said the officer.

Pursuing the matter with the Centre, Mr. Sisodia said the Delhi Government has also written to the External Affairs Ministry to extend all possible help to the victims and help them return to their home country if they desire so.