Picture for representational purpose only

PUNE: The crime branch and Faraskhana police personnel on Monday night rescued 21 women, including five minor girls, from different brothels in Budhwar Peth and detained five brothel-keepers.

Of the five minors rescued, two were brought into a brothel on Monday morning from Thane on the pretext of giving them good jobs. “We rescued them before the brothel-keeper could force them into prostitution,” said assistant commissioner of police (crime) Bhanupratap Barge.

Of the 21 women rescued from the brothels, five are from Nepal . All of them have been sent to a rescue home in Hadapsar .

After receiving a tip-off about the minors being forced into prostitution at different brothels, Barge formed teams of seven police officers and conducted raids at different brothels on Monday night. “We rescued 21 women, including five minors. We took five brothel-keepers in custody. A case against these women had been registered with the Faraskhana police,” Barge said.

