SRINAGAR: Taking instant cognizance of bust of a prostitution racket at Bagh e Mehtab locality under the jurisdiction of Chanpora Police station, the district administration Srinagar has swiftly initiated slew of measures to curb the menace of immoral trafficking in the larger interest of society.
District Magistrate Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad has issued an order for the appointment of a Special Police Officer for dealing with an offence under immoral Traffic Prevention Act 1956. The order reads that “Whereas, Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar vide his letter No. CRB/RDR/11595 dated: 03-4-2023 has requested for the appointment of a Special Police Officer not below the rank of an Inspector of Police for dealing with offences under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956”.
And accordingly, the DM appointed Inspector Gulshan Akhtar(No. 4463/NGO) of DPL Srinagar as Special Police Officer under section 13(2) of Immoral Traffic Prevention Act 1956 (PITA) for dealing with offences within the territorial jurisdiction of the District and empowered under the Act to investigate and carry criminal proceedings in all such matters.
While referring to bust of flesh trade racket, the DM Srinagar also issued an order warning of action under penal laws against those failed to submit mandatory tenant verification within stipulated time in their respective police stations.
In addition, the DM also set in motion the exercise for sealing of premises used for prostitution under section 18 of Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act, 1956. The Srinagar police has also slapped the owner of premises where prostitution racket was busted with a case for using the premises as “Paying Guest” without compulsory tenant verification.
The citizens of Srinagar has applauded the endeavors of District Magistrate Srinagar, Aijaz Assad as well as SSP Srinagar, Rakesh Bhalwal for initiating appropriate action against the managers of brothel.
Interestingly, a sex racket was also busted by police at Bagh e Bahu locality in Jammu and prior to that the owner of brothel namely Swarna was booked by Bagh e Bahu police station in case FIR No 0088 /2022 under relevant sections of PITA. But, till date except booking the accused woman under POCSO in the instant case, neither the police nor the civil administration has taken any action under section 18 of PITA against the operator of brothel despite lapse of six months. Thanks to SSP Chandan Kohli style of policing.
The citizens have expressed their anguish against the police as well as DM Jammu for their failure to seal premises of woman where immoral trafficking going with impunity despite submission of their statements. The aggrieved also demand enquiry against the then SHO Bagh e Bahu Inspector Sikander Singh who remained silent for almost 5 months despite registration of FIR under relevent sections of PITA against the accused woman Swarna.