Human Trafficking: 39 Nepali women rescued from Delhi hotel, claims DCW

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DCW received tip-off and rescued 39 Nepali girls from Hotel Hriday Inn, Paharganj, Delhi
DCW received tip-off and rescued 39 Nepali girls from Hotel Hriday Inn, Paharganj, Delhi

New Delhi : In an anti-trafficking operation conducted by Delhi Police, close to 39 Nepalese women were "rescued" from a hotel in Paharganj, the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) claimed today.

The cops, conversely, said the women were staying in the hotel on their own decision, and they had come to Delhi in search of employment. The statement has led to a war of words between the DCW and the police force.

"From their medical examination, statements and enquiry conducted so far it has come out that they were staying in hotel on their own volition and they had come to Delhi in search of employment opportunity. They have not indicated any cognizable offense committed against them," Deputy Commissioner of Police (central) Mandeep Singh Randhawa tweeted.

Source close to the development said that the anti-trafficking operation started at 1 am and continued till 6 am. The women panel's chairperson, Swati Maliwal has mentioned about the operation in the Twitter, micro-blogging networking site.

"DCW received tip-off and rescued 39 Nepali girls from Hotel Hriday Inn, Paharganj. Raid lasted the entire night and assistance was provided by Delhi Police.  Entire hotel had only trafficked Nepali girls who were being sent to Gulf countries. Huge trafficking racket busted!" she said.

Randhawa also added that Delhi police were informed around 12.15 am by the DCW helpline about some trafficked women staying at a hotel in Paharganj.

A team from the Paharganj police station went there but nothing suspicious was found. Around 1.45 am, Maliwal came there and told the police personnel that she had received information about another hotel.

"We give full support whenever there are issues related to women safety. She said there is a hotel where Nepali girls have been kept and our staff accompanied her there," the DCP said.

Some woman found during the investigation had Nepalese citizenship cards. The women were sent for medical examination but some of them refused to undertake the medical investigation process. Sixteen of the women agreed to the medical examination, police said, adding that their medical examination did not show any signs of assault.

The DCW hit back, saying the complaints of some of the women received during the raid last night by the DCW clearly reveal trafficking.

"Instead of registering an FIR on the basis of these complaints, SHO Paharganj has made a mockery of law. He has detained girls in police station entire day and even beyond sunset. Pressurised and instilled fear in them to not reveal anything. Till now, no arrest, no FIR and girls continue to be detained in PS," the DCW said.

In the meantime, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal questioned Lt Governor Anil Baijal and the BJP for not taking required action in the matter.

"Complete breakdown of law and order in Delhi. Is it possible at such a large scale without collusion at the top? BJP, LG and Rajnath ji ought to respond. People of Delhi feeling very unsafe," he said in a tweet.

"Are police helping the accused for free? Till where the money is reaching? Why LG Sahab and BJP are not doing anything (in the matter)?" he tweeted in Hindi.

Randhawa said further investigation is on progress and statements of the women are being recorded though no trafficking angle has come up so far. Police are also contacting the Nepal Embassy.