- By Deeksha Gour
- Sat, 01 Nov 2025 11:40 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Navi Mumbai News: The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) of Navi Mumbai Police rescued a 10-year-old girl from a prostitution racket and arrested two people, including her mother and a 70-year-old non-resident Indian (NRI), officials said on Saturday.
The operation was launched on October 30 after AHTU senior inspector Prithviraj Ghorpade received specific information about a woman allegedly sending her minor daughter to an elderly man’s home in Taloja Phase 2 for sexual exploitation. Following a swift raid, officers rescued the child and detained the man identified as Farooq Allauddin Sheikh, a London-based NRI.
According to the investigation, Sheikh was aware that the girl was a minor. Despite this, he allegedly forced her to consume alcohol and sexually assaulted her on several occasions. Police also found that the victim’s 30-year-old mother had accepted Rs 2.5 lakh and a monthly allowance from Sheikh in exchange for sending her daughter to him.
Both accused have been booked under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. Officials from Taloja police station confirmed that the duo has been placed in police custody until November 4 for further investigation.
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In separate news, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has designated four new locations in Mumbai for controlled pigeon feeding, restricting the activity to a two-hour window between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM daily. This temporary measure will remain in effect until recommendations from an expert panel and the Bombay High Court are received. The approved sites include Worli Reservoir, a mangrove patch near Lokhandwala Back Road in Andheri West, a creek-side spot near the old Airoli–Mulund check-post, and Gorai Maidan in Borivali West. The move aims to balance traditional practices with public health and cleanliness concerns.
(With Inputs From PTI)