Mumbai constable held in flesh racket a repeat offender

Constable Arvind Kadam, who was arrested on Saturday during a raid on a prostitution racket in Versova by the Social Service Branch (SSB), is not new to the business.

His name had cropped up earlier in June, when SSB had raided a prostitution den being run under the guise of a massage parlour (DNA had first reported this). The concerned police sub-inspector of the Versova police station was asked for an explanation regarding why he had allowed the racket to continue under his nose. He reportedly told his superiors that he has been asked to look the other way, since the business belonged to Kadam and another policeman. A departmental enquiry was then initiated.

Officials said that Kadam was held a second time at the MHADA colony in Versova at around 1:30 am on Saturday, when the raid was conducted. At least 23 women were rescued by the police, while 13 pimps were arrested under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA).

Police officials said that the pimps and the rescued girls were being questioned about their involvement with Kadam, and whether he was actually involved in the sex racket.

They are also in the process of questioning locals from the area, about whether they had spotted Kadam frequenting the flats where the prostitution was being run.