Sex racket busted in Odisha, woman kingpin among four held

Paikamal: The police have busted a sex racket in Paikamal of Bargarh district and arrested four persons including the kingpin, a woman, in connection with this. This apart, three women including a minor have been rescued.

The main accused was identified as Shantilata Banachhor of Tehsil Chhak in Paikamal. As per reports, Shantilata had brought three women from different parts of the district and kept them at her house. She used to force the three women into flesh trade and torture them mentally. Late last night one of the three women informed the police about the matter.

After getting information, a police team led by Paikamal IIC Biswajit Manabodh raided the house and rescued the three women including the minor. Also, they arrested Shantilata and three of her associates.

Shantilata was allegedly involved in bringing women from different places and forcing them into flesh trade. Moreover, she had sold some of them outside the State, a police official said.

Cops have registered case against the arrested persons under relevant sections of POCSO Act, Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act and under section 370 of IPC (trafficking) and forwarded them to a Special Court in Bargarh.

The police official further stated the three rescued women have been kept at the police station and arrangements are being made to shift them to a shelter home.