New Delhi, July 07: Taking serious note of instances of functioning of flesh trade and brothels "with the blessings of police" in Mumbai, National Commission of Women today asked the Maharashtra government to initiate a thorough probe into the system of registration of prostitutes by police and demanded stern action against the guilty police officers. "All the rescued girls should be rehabilitated and a focused investigation should be carried out on the system of registration of prostitutes," NCW chairperson Poornima Advani said after her return from a three-day visit to Maharashtra.
NCW along with the state women's commission also carried out a raid on a brothel and rescued 51 girls in Girguam area.
"The girls when questioned produced identification cards duly licensed by the local police, which only shows the police is hand-in-glove with the brothel owners and agents," said Advani, who also expressed concern over the increasing number of beer bars in the several parts of the city.
Raising doubt on the accuracy of the age verification tests, Advani said "these tests are not conclusive" and demanded a speedy and accurate age determination of women rounded up in the raid.
Out of 51 girls rescued, 25 were examined and three girls proved to be minors, she said.
A detailed action report on the whole incident would be sent to the Maharashtra government within a week, she added.
Asked about NCW's views on legalising prostitution, she said "the commission is not in favour of legalising prostitution" but maintained that young girls should not be made victims of police atrocities. Bureau Report