Two minor sisters, aged 14 and 16, originally from Rajasthan, were rescued on February 20 by the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) of the Navi Mumbai Crime Branch after allegedly being forced into prostitution by their father and a broker in Koparkhairane.
Acting on a tip-off, officials conducted a decoy operation in CBD Belapur, arrested the broker identified as Harish Vikas Chhari, and launched a manhunt for the father, Raj Singh, who remains absconding. Police stated that the accused charged clients between ₹1.5 lakh and ₹1.7 lakh per day per girl and transported them directly to customer-designated locations to avoid scrutiny.
An FIR has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The girls have been placed under the care of the Child Welfare Committee and shifted to a shelter home in Ulhasnagar for protection and rehabilitation.
Decoy Operation Exposes Exploitation Racket
The rescue operation unfolded after the AHTU received credible intelligence about a prostitution racket involving minors operating out of Koparkhairane, a node in Navi Mumbai. Senior Inspector Prithviraj Ghorpade stated that the police team verified the information and laid a trap in CBD Belapur. Officers posed as customers and instructed Chhari to bring the girls to a designated meeting point.
Once the exchange was initiated, officials intervened and rescued the minors on the spot, arresting the broker. During preliminary interrogation, Chhari allegedly disclosed that the girls’ father had been complicit and had willingly sent his daughters to him over the past four months. According to investigators, since the girls were underage and could not check into hotels or lodges, the accused would transport them directly to clients’ chosen locations, thereby attempting to evade detection.
Police sources indicated that the racket charged exorbitant sums, reportedly up to ₹1.7 lakh per day, exploiting both the vulnerability of the minors and the secrecy surrounding such crimes. Chhari was remanded to police custody until February 23, and further investigations are underway to identify other possible accomplices or clients who may have been part of the network.
Legal Action And Rehabilitation Measures Initiated
Authorities have registered a case under stringent provisions of the BNS, the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, and the POCSO Act, all of which prescribe severe punishment for trafficking and sexual offences against minors. Officials confirmed that the priority following the rescue was to ensure the immediate safety and emotional well-being of the girls.
They were produced before the Child Welfare Committee, which ordered their placement in a government-recognised shelter facility in Ulhasnagar. At the shelter home, the minors are expected to receive counselling, medical care, and psychological support aimed at beginning the long process of rehabilitation. Police officials have emphasised that trafficking cases involving family members are particularly complex and traumatic, as they involve a deep breach of trust.
Meanwhile, teams have been deployed to trace the absconding father, with coordinated efforts reportedly underway across locations where he may have contacts. Investigators are also examining digital evidence, financial trails, and communication records to determine whether a broader trafficking syndicate was involved. The case has once again highlighted the continuing challenge of identifying and dismantling networks that prey on children, often operating in plain sight within urban neighbourhoods.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This distressing case is not only a criminal investigation but also a painful reminder of how systemic vulnerabilities can place children at grave risk. When exploitation originates within the family, the emotional scars can run far deeper than the physical harm. While the swift action of the AHTU deserves recognition, it also underscores the importance of community vigilance and accessible reporting mechanisms.
Trafficking does not thrive in isolation; it survives through silence, stigma, and indifference. As a society, we must strengthen awareness at the grassroots level in schools, neighbourhoods, and local governance bodies so that warning signs are recognised early and intervention happens before exploitation takes root.
