Mumbai: A budding television actress from Mumbai who visited the city for the opening of a saree shop was reportedly attacked and confined by three women in an apartment at Masab Tank after she declined to comply with the requests to participate in prostitution. Local police rescued her early Sunday morning.
In response to her complaint, the Masab Tank police filed a case for assault along with charges under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act. They have also initiated a search for the three women and an agent based in Mumbai.
Parasuram Chukkapally, station house officer, Masab Tank said, “The woman was sent for a medical examination, and her statement was also recorded. Further investigation in the case is underway,” according to reports by Times Of India.
As per the complainant, the agent directed her to the city for the event and proposed Rs 20,000 for the work. However, upon her arrival here, she reportedly was compelled into prostitution, she informed the police.
“Around a week ago, she got this offer from the agent identified as Pankaj. The event in Hyderabad was on Sunday (March 23). She was not given the location of the store and told that all details will be shared with her on her arrival in Hyderabad,” said a police official.
“On Friday (March 21), when the complainant arrived in the city, she was given accommodation in a flat, saying that it belonged to the store which she was to launch.” police official added further.
Subsequently, on Saturday, the complainant claimed that three women entered the apartment pretending to help her with the event. Once she gained her confidence, they purportedly compelled her into prostitution. “When the survivor declined their requests, it resulted in a confrontation between the two groups,” stated the police official.
Angered by the complainant’s refusal, the three women reportedly attacked her, confined her in the apartment, and escaped, abandoning her in a semi-conscious condition late on Saturday. “Once she regained her strength, the survivor contacted Dial 100.” A group from the Masab Tank police quickly arrived at the location and saved her,” the officer stated, mentioning that the 28-year-old had previously been employed in Dubai at an event management company and is also a dancer in Mumbai. She recently began her career in television soap operas.
Special units have been established to capture the female suspects, the official stated, noting that they utilized the store opening as a lure to entrap her and push her into the sex trade.
