Modelling agencies under police scanner for flesh trade

With recent raids bringing several rackets to the fore, the social service branch of the Mumbai police are now on the lookout for firms that carry out flesh trade under the guise of recruitment agencies for films.

With recent raids bringing several rackets to the fore, the social service branch of the Mumbai police are now on the lookout for firms that carry out flesh trade under the guise of recruitment agencies for films.

While two pimps were arrested with five aspiring models from the new Mhada Colony on August 28, five women who worked in TV serials were rescued and three pimps were arrested from Oshiwara on June 22. In a similar raid at a housing society in Andheri (West) on May 21, three model-actors were rescued by the police.

“The aspiring actors and models come to the city with a dream of making it big. The high cost of living forces them to give in to the demands of these so-called coordinators. Once they get used to the lifestyle and money, leading a simple life becomes difficult,” said a source.

SN Choudhary, deputy commissioner of police (enforcement), said, “We are keeping an eye on the illegal activities being carried out under the pretext of getting film and serial assignments. Immediate action is taken whenever such instances are brought to light.”