Blames Delhi police too for its alleged complicity, demands independent probe
New Delhi : Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti on Wednesday demanded an independent probe into alleged role of ‘some persons’ of Ugandan High Commission and the Delhi Police in sex and drug rackets.
His remarks came as ruling Aam Aadmi Party leaders staged a one-day dharna (protest) demanding strict action against those heading drug and prostitution rackets in the city. “According to the Ugandan women, it appears some persons in Ugandan High Commission in India and in Uganda are involved in such business. Besides, the Delhi Police are playing an important role in running such rackets. “To probe their role, an independent probe into this matter should be made,” Bharti said.
The minister had stirred a major controversy last month after he led a midnight raid against African women in a South Delhi locality alleging they were running a drug and prostitution racket. Later, these women met the minister and alleged they were forced into the flesh trade. A formal complaint was filed with the local cops.
The AAP alleges that the Delhi Police are abetting the drug and sex rackets are running across the national capital. “With three Ugandan women approaching police complaining forced into a prostitution racket, it is now clear that such rings are successfully running in Delhi with the help of police,” Sanjay Singh, senior AAP leader said, while addressing the gathering at Jantar Mantar. Singh also defended Bharti on the midnight raid episode saying the minister had only asked the police to take action against the culprits. “I want to ask the police commissioner and the women’s commission what action has been taken to rescue women who are forcibly pushed into sex trade?” he asked.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, around 500 members of AAP protested demanding action against those who are allegedly bringing Ugandan women on the pretext of providing them jobs but forcing them into sex and drugs rackets.
Three Ugandan women on Tuesday registered a complaint with the police that several placement agencies were operating sex and drug rackets in and around Delhi.
“It is wrong that it is happening with the foreign nationals who come to India. So we demand quick action,” said Dilip Pandey, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson, who was present at the protest site – Jantar Mantar.
Law Minister Somnath Bharti and AAP senior leader Yogendra Yadav are also expected to join the protest later in the day.
The three Ugandan women lived in the same area in south Delhi where Law Minister Somnath Bharti had conducted a controversial raid over an alleged drugs and sex racket.
