Our Work News From The Field Mumbai - Seven Trafficking Perpetrators Convicted | Mumbai - Seven Trafficking Perpetrators Convicted | |
| PRINT | |
| Thursday, 17 December 2009 | |
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MUMBAI, INDIA – This December, International Justice Mission has assisted in securing a total of seven convictions in two trafficking separate cases under India’s Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Both cases began in 2006 and, after difficult legal battles, the perpetrators have been dealt fines as well as time in prison for their crimes. The first case began in November 2006, when IJM investigators received information that four pimps were involved in selling minor girls for the purposes of illicit sex. Working alongside the local police, an arrangement was made to have the perpetrators bring the five girls to a Mumbai hotel. After arriving, the exchange of money took place and the police took the four perpetrators into custody. In court, however, the case was drawn out after receiving 32 adjournments over three years. But despite these and other difficulties, on December 2, 2009, all four perpetrators in the case were convicted for their crimes and sentenced to five years in jail.In court, however, the case was drawn out after receiving 32 adjournments over three years. But despite these and other difficulties, on December 2, 2009, all four perpetrators in the case were convicted for their crimes and sentenced to five years in jail. The second case, similar to the first, began in March 2006. After confirming leads, IJM investigators informed the police of four pimps who were involved in selling minors for prostitution. With the assistance of IJM, the police made arrangements for the pimps to bring the minors to a hotel in south Mumbai under the presumption that it was for prostitution. The four perpetrators soon found out that this was not the case – and were all taken into police custody. The case was brought to trial; however, IJM again faced several challenges, as some of the witnesses in the case were unwilling to testify. But IJM submitted into evidence video transcripts from the rescue operation, which proved to be very convincing, and the judge accepted the closing arguments. IJM persevered through the trial, which spanned over three years. On December 8, 2009, the judge handed down three convictions, sentencing the accused to one year in jail. Convictions like these are critical to change the “fear equation” in Mumbai – ensuring that perpetrators are rightly afraid of the just consequences of the law, so the vulnerable do not need to fear them. |
