50 police personnel in mufti to curb prostitution on Gurugram’s MG Road

Following a crackdown on bars and pubs, the city police will deploy additional personnel in plainclothes to keep an eye on alleged sex trade.

Gurugram police, on Tuesday, said they have deployed around 50 additional police personnel, including women in plain clothes, at MG Road malls to keep a check on prostitution. The move came after the police crackdown on night clubs and bars where the alleged sex trade was going on.

Residents and shopkeepers around MG Road expressed happiness that finally the law-and-order situation is under control on the MG Road after the police crackdown on the clubs and bars in the area. (Yogendra Kumar/HT PHOTO)

KK Rao, commissioner of police, said the teams are directed to take prompt action against the staff and visitors if they are found indulging in any illegal activity.

Around 50 people from residential complexes and mall associations on MG Road met the assistant commissioner of police, on Tuesday, evening seeking permission to hold a candle march either on Friday or on Sunday.

Residents and shopkeepers around MG Road expressed happiness that finally the law-and-order situation is under control on the MG Road after the police crackdown on the clubs and bars in the area.

“We will hold a candle march in support of the police crackdown and want this drive to ensure a safer MG Road. We not want any illegal trade taking place on the stretch,” Rajeev Sinha, former RWA president, Essel Tower, said.

The residents said that putting a ban on the entry of single women in pubs and bars will stop the entry of alleged sex workers, as there is no other way to differentiate between the genuine visitors or someone soliciting for paid sex.

Gurugram police on Tuesday wrote to the excise department taking an update on the cancellation of the licenses of two pubs located on MG Road. Owners of these two pubs and bar were booked in the first week of July for allowing prostitution at their outlets. The police said they are still operational and excise officials have not taken any action against them.

On July 4, after a raid police had booked seven people, including two nightclub owners, from two malls on the MG Road, Sahara Mall and MGF Mall for their alleged involvement in the sex trade. Police conducted night operations at MG Road, including Sahara Mall, and 21 people were booked for creating a ruckus in public place last month on MG Road, police said.

HC Dahiya, Deputy excise commissioner, said they have formed 12 teams who are conducting checks across the city including Cyber Hub, Sector 29, Golf Course Road and Sohna Road with a special focus is on the MG Road stretch. “Strict action including cancellation of license would be taken if any outlet is found involved in prostitution or other forms of illegal trade,” said Dahiya.