Bangladeshi Nationals Arrested for Running Women’s Trafficking Ring in Maharashtra

July 29, 2025

Palghar (Maharashtra): Police have detained three Bangladeshi nationals following the bust of a prostitution ring operating from a house in Maharashtra’s Palghar district. During the operation, they also rescued a minor girl and a woman from the premises, officials announced on Tuesday.

Acting on a tip-off, personnel from the anti-human trafficking unit carried out a raid on July 26 at an apartment in Naigaon, Vasai area. During the raid, the police apprehended three alleged traffickers and rescued a minor girl who was being coerced into the flesh trade, stated Madan Ballal, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) for Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar.

A 21-year-old woman was also rescued from the same location, he added.

The three men arrested have been identified as Mohammad Khalid Bapari, Juber Harun Sheikh, and Shamin Gaffar Sardar, all from Bangladesh. The girl and woman, both from Bangladesh, had reportedly been trafficked into India and forced into prostitution, the police noted.

They are currently being held at a rescue centre operated by the Rescue Foundation. An FIR has been filed against the accused under multiple sections, including those related to child procuration (96), selling a child for prostitution (98), trafficking (143(3), 143(4)), and exploitation of trafficked persons (144) under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Additionally, the accused have been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, police confirmed.