Police bust sex racket in Odisha village! 5 detained

In a significant crackdown, Balasore police conducted a raid in Girichaka village under Singla police limits following allegations of a sex racket. Five individuals, including four women and a man identified as Prashant Sahu from West Bengal, were taken into custody, police sources said on Friday.

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According to the villagers, Prashant Sahu had been residing in an uninhabited house in Girichaka for several years. While he allegedly offered work as a pretext, he reportedly involved women in immoral activities. The residents lodged a complaint with the local police, prompting a raid by officials from Sartha outpost, who took action based on the villagers’ allegations.

“We had previously heard that illegal activities were going on in this house. The accused (Prashant) has kept 3-4 girls here and is engaging them in the flesh trade on the pretext of giving them work. Recently, we were tipped off that the girls and the man were present inside the house. On being informed, cops raided the house and took five persons to the police station for questioning,” a resident, Sukumar Dinda, said.

However, the accused, Prashant Sahu, denied the allegations, claiming that the reports of illegal activity were entirely false. Police have initiated an investigation.

“The allegations are entirely baseless. We, my wife and I, used to stay in the house along with three children (not of the couple). My orphaned sister-in-law (wife’s younger sister) also resides with us. The children were not getting to eat a square meal a day, hence their parents had left them with me for nurturing,” the accused stated.

The case has drawn attention in the region, with local residents emphasising the need for vigilance against exploitation and illegal activities in rural areas. Authorities have urged anyone with information to cooperate with law enforcement.