THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Bahrain government’s defiant approach proves to be a major roadblock in the human trafficking case investigation as part of Operation Big Daddy.
Speaking to ‘Express’, the police officials probing the case alleged that the Bahrain government was not cooperating with the Crime Branch to identify the trapped victims in Bahrain. According to officials, who wished to remain anonymous, the probe can move ahead only by identifying the victims and spots though the key racketeers nabbed from Kochi and Mumbai the other day. Over hundreds of women from Kerala were smuggled into Bahrain for flesh trade after being given false promises of high-end jobs, through the online flesh trade racket. In the first level of discussions with the Bahrain government, they denied the presence of such elements in the country. However, the probe team has convened a discussion at the diplomatic level with the Bahrain government. The officials believed that it would help them proceed with the investigation, sources said.
The officials identified around 40 to 60 victims, including those who returned to Kerala. Five persons from Nedumbassery and Mumbai were busted on Wednesday night following the revelation made by two victims. The non-cooperation of some victims is also affecting the probe. “Several victims are reluctant to reveal details as it would wreck their life and some are happy with the job and these aspects affect the probe. But the investigation will be intensified,” said S Sreejith, IGP(crimes).
Meanwhile, the accused couple, Abdul Nazer from Balussery in Kozhikode and his wife Shahida of Chandanathoppe in Kollam, have been brought to the Crime Branch headquarters on Friday from Mumbai.
Sources said the verification and evidence collection were progressing with the persons in custody, on Friday. “The interrogation is on and the couple had taken several women from the state to Bahrain for the purpose. As per the statements from the victims, they were harassed physically and mentally after being locked in rooms of apartments if they showed dissent. The couple had also served as agents to Joyce, who was recently arrested by the police team,” an official said.
However, they are yet to be arrested. It is most likely that the arrest of Abdul Nazer would be recorded on Friday and accused brought before the magistrate on Saturday.
Flesh Trade
Over hundreds of women from Kerala smuggled into Bahrain for flesh trade after being given false promises of high-end jobs, through online flesh trade
The officials identified around 40 to 60 victims, including those who returned to Kerala
The non-cooperation of some victims is also affecting the probe
Five persons from Nedumbassery and Mumbai were busted on Wednesday night following the revelation made by two victims
The Bahrain government not cooperating with the Crime Branch to identify the trapped victims in Bahrain