The Principal Sessions Court here has dismissed the bail petitions of four persons who were arrested by the Crime Branch CID Police here on charges of forcing minor girls into prostitution recently.
Last month, the police arrested four persons following confessions by two girls (aged 14 and 6) before the Child Welfare Committee. .
During counselling, they disclosed that Ramya, their neighbour, introduced them to her friend Gayathri alias Shalitha of Kumaragurupallam. Gayathri in turn introduced them to K. Pushpa.
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The girls said that Gayathri and Pushpa allegedly mixed sedatives in juices without their knowledge and offered them the spiked drink. Left in an unconscious state, they were sexually exploited by unknown persons. The duo also forced the girls to provide company to several persons by threatening to post on the web video clippings showing them in compromising positions.
Following a complaint forwarded by Vidya Ramkumar, chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee, Grand Baazar Police initially investigated the case before it was transferred to the CBI CID police. A case was registered under the provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 and Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act 1956 against six persons.
The police rounded up K. Pushpa (43), who was running a brothel at Thengaithittu, and her associates — Gayathri and Ramya who helped lure unsuspecting girls. The other accomplices were namely Ragu alias Ragumankhan (29), Maickam (32) and Arulmary who allowed her house to be used for purpose.
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The accused were remanded to custody for two weeks after which Pushpa and three others filed the bail petitions.
When the matter came up for hearing before Principal Sessions Judge C.S. Murugan, Puducherry Public Prosecutor K. Shanmugam vehemently opposed bail to the accused saying it would hamper the probe.
After hearing submissions of counsel, the Principal Sessions Judge rejected the bail petitions as not maintainable.