PRAYAGRAJ: The sessions court on Tuesday awarded rigorous imprisonment (RI) to 41 accused found involved in human trafficking and flesh trade racket busted in Meerganj, Prayagraj in a major police operation conducted on on May 1, 2016.
Additional sessions judge (ASJ) Rachna Singh awarded 14 year’s RI to all the 15 accused of human trafficking while the remaining 26 accused of flesh trade were given 10 years’ RI.
Earlier, on January 18, 2022, the additional sessions judge had convicted as many as 41 persons found to be involved in flesh trade and human trafficking , which at one time was going on in Meerganj. While passing the order of conviction, the ASJ had said that it would pronounce the sentence to the accused on January 25.
The ASJ had convicted the accused on the basis of facts and evidence available against them. Thereafter, the sentence was awarded on Tuesday after hearing defence counsels and the district government counsel (criminal), Gulab Chandra Agrahri, who appeared on behalf of the prosecution.
It is alleged that these accused persons, while taking advantage of the poverty and other compulsions of girl children, used to entice them away from their native places. Thereafter, they used to sell them in the red light area of Meerganj, where they were ultimately forced to join the flesh trade.
Some social organizations and activists had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) before the high court, which directed the authorities concerned to take appropriate steps to remove the illegal flesh trade and human trafficking going on in the heart of the city.
Acting on the direction of the high court, the district administration and the police department launched a massive ‘operation freedom’ on Labour Day on May 1, 2016 to cleanse the Meerganj area. As a result, several girls, many of whom were minors, were rescued from the brothel.
During the operation, as many as 48 persons were arrested and a criminal case was registered against them. After the trial, the court in its decision dated January 18 had convicted as many as 41 accused persons.
'Meticulous planning, great team work ensured success'
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Senior IAS officer Sanjay Kumar, who was the district magistrate of Prayagraj (then Allahabad) when the racket was busted in 2016, recalls how it the operation was planned and executed
"I and the then SSP Sunil Emannuael, worked for over a month gathering data with just three-four officers in perfect silence to understand the whole situation on ground, alongside a local NGO Gudia.
I even went on rickshaw and bike wearing casuals and hats a few times to recce the area. No one knew much of the operation till a 'Fall in' was announced in the Police line at 10am on a Sunday when the local Bazaar was closed.
It was planned as all roads leading to the red-light area can be closed without an issue. Every one was briefed, over 500 to 600 constables, few magistrates were deployed and briefed that none of the girls should be apprehended.
We had even planned for the rescue centre in advance with a full team of doctors, fooding and lodging facilities till they were produced in court and investigated. Good coordination with judiciary ensured not much media chasing, as later Judicial magistrate came to the place where they were kept in govt accommodation to take their statements.
Few women in the age of 50s and above, who were main conduits in the red-light area were caught unaware. Their own local liaison with local thana and chowki were caught napping, as we deployed a team from outside the area.
Hardly four-five officers knew of our plan other than DM and SSP. Everything was videographed, recorded and a team of govt advocates put on a job to do the detailed paperwork.
Later, we sent an escorted team to transfer the arrested individuals to Agra women rescue centre in buses, duly escorted with a team of police personnel after orders of the court was obtained. Meticulous planning, coordination at state-level and all agencies and great team work ensured success."
