The Bombay High Court has granted bail to a man accused of acting as a tout or pimp and taking commission for bringing customers to women and a minor girl at a lodge in Maharashtra’s Pune district. While granting bail, the court noted that there were no allegations of him forcing any of the victims, including the minor, into the flesh trade.

The accused, Shankarlal Chetre, had been behind bars since June 16, 2023, after being arrested under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). The prosecution alleged that Chetre acted as an agent, facilitating connections between brothel operators and victim women, and received commission for his involvement.

During the court proceedings, Additional Public Prosecutor TG Khan and advocate Deepali Bagla, appointed through legal aid to represent the minor, strongly opposed Chetre’s bail. They argued that Chetre was part of a larger racket exploiting women and children. The prosecution claimed that releasing Chetre could result in repeat offences, raising concerns about ongoing trafficking threats.

Focussing on Chetre’s role and granting bail, the court observed, “Role attributed to the present applicant is that he acted as an agent of the victims. There are no allegations against the applicant of him forcing any of the victim or the minor victims in the flesh trade. Victims in the present crime are rescued by the police.”

Chetre came under the police scanner on June 15, 2023, after an official at Shikrapur Police Station received a tip-off. Information from a social organisation indicated that a minor girl was being trafficked at a lodge in Bhimakoregaon village near the Pune–Ahmednagar highway. Police then conducted a raid with a decoy customer and rescued two women and a minor from the premises. According to police, the operation was conducted without a search warrant due to urgency.

– Ends

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