Journalism of Courage
The anti-human trafficking unit (AHTU) of Pune city police crime branch busted a sex racket allegedly involving foreign nationals at Shalimar Hill Housing Society in Kondhwa Khurd.
Police arrested Kato Julius, a native of Uganda currently residing in a rented apartment in Shalimar Hill Housing Society. Police rescued three girls, all hailing from Uganda, allegedly involved in the flesh trade.
Acting on a tip-off to police naik Nitin Telange of AHTU, a team led by senior inspector Sanjay Nikam laid a trap on Friday. Cops sent a decoy customer to an apartment where the racket was allegedly operating.
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On receiving confirmation from the decoy, cops raided the apartment and nabbed suspect Kato Julius along with three foreign girls. Julius had taken an apartment on rent at Shalimar Hill Housing Society. The owner is based in Mumbai.
The police booked Kato under sections of the prevention of immoral trafficking act (PITA) at Kondhwa police station. Police said he was pursuing an MBA degree in a Pune college. He completed his graduation in Pune. Police are probing how he got into the flesh trade and whether he is associated with international sex racketeers.
Meanwhile, police said that of the three foreign girls rescued, two had come to Pune on student visa and are studying in a college in the city. One girl had come from Uganda to Mumbai on a business visa. She had travelled to Pune in a tourist vehicle.
Police said Shalimar Hill Housing Society has been under the scanner for long as some Nigerian nationals allegedly involved in drug-trafficking and other crimes are believed to be regulars to the place. Last March, a Nigerian national was murdered at the housing society. Police said most of the apartments there are occupied by foreign nationals who pay rent, or remain locked.
There are 12 buildings but only five Indian families. Police said the housing society is big, but lacks basic facilities. Big flats are available at comparatively lower rent there.
