NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of a media report of women being forced into the sex trade by anti-social elements on the pretext of providing them with lucrative job opportunities

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India after taking suo motu cognizance of a media report has issued notices to the Chief Secretaries and the Director General of Police of all the States and UTs calling for a detailed report on the steps taken and proposed to deal with the anti-social elements pushing women into the sex trade on the pretext of providing them with lucrative job opportunities.

The media report, carried on 1st July, 2024, indicates that most of the arrested women during a raid at a hotel in Ranchi, Jharkhand, got into the sex trade out of compulsion and helplessness. Many of them were pushed into this web by their relatives and some of them were forced to enter into this ugly business, to fulfill the needs of their families and could not come out of the vicious network of anti-social elements once got into their grip.

The Commission has observed the contents of the news report quoting statements by women arrested during a raid, if true, raise a serious concern relating to the life, liberty, equality and dignity of women, irrespective of caste, religion and geographical boundaries. The instant news report indicates that the victim women are natives of different places, trapped in the name of a job and their handlers are reportedly operating from distant locations. This indicates the depth of the crime syndicate across the country, which requires a pan-India action against such criminal elements.

Issuing the notices, the Commission has further observed that despite several laws and schemes in the country for the protection, safety and welfare of women, the anti-social and criminal elements manage to target the vulnerable sections of society, particularly women.

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