Targeted for exposing flesh trade supported by Union min: DCW chief Maliwal

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal on Thursday alleged that the prostitution racket, operational in central Delhi’s infamous GB road area, was “flourishing” with the protection from a “Union minister” and a “senior leader of a prominent party”.

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal on Thursday alleged that the prostitution racket, operational in central Delhi’s infamous GB road area, was “flourishing” with the protection from a “Union minister” and a “senior leader of a prominent party”.

Delhi Commission of Women chief, Swati Maliwal, during a raid on GB Road in central Delhi. Maliwal has alleged that the flesh trade in the area is being supported by a Union minister and senior political leader. (Arun Sharma/HT File Photo)

She, however, did not name anybody.

Maliwal alleged she was being targeted so as to remove her as DCW chief through lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung as she trying to unearth the racket.

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“In the past few weeks, I have been conducting raids in GB road area, and trying to understand how this business has been flourishing just three-kms away from Parliament. I wanted to know under whose protection it was flourishing. During investigation, we found a Union minister and a senior leader of a prominent party were providing protection to those involved in the flesh trade,” she told reporters.

“After I got to know about all this, an FIR was deliberately registered against me. I also got inputs that they will get me arrested and through L-G (Jung), get me removed from the DCW,” she alleged.

Maliwal is under fire from the Anti-Corruption Branch for alleged irregularities in recruitment in the women’s panel. On Tuesday, an FIR was lodged against her.

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The DCW had conducted a number of raids in GB road area earlier this month.

A couple and six others were arrested by Delhi Police for allegedly running a brothel in the area. Following this, 42 police personnel posted with the Kamla Market police station, under whose jurisdiction GB road falls, were transferred to other police stations for allegedly not taking action against the accused.

Police, however, denied any connection between the two incidents and termed the transfers as “routine”.

Read | ACB officials question Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal

Maliwal also said DCW had asked the municipal corporation to demolish the illegal basements being used to hide trafficked girls and women.

“We have been telling MCDs to demolish the illegal tehkhanas (basements) which are being used to hide trafficked girls. This is a business... I am getting messages that don’t interfere in GB road issue and do whatever else you want, but even if I am removed from DCW, I will continue to fight for this issue,” Maliwal said.