Date:07/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/07/stories/2008100759720400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Held on charge of women trafficking

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The Crime Branch CID police arrested Poonga Venkatesan of Madambakkam, who was involved in trafficking women from neighbouring States and forcing them into flesh trade.

According to an official release, Additional Director-General of Police (CBCID) Archana Ramasundaram formed a special team of the Anti-Trafficking Cell police to investigate complaints of women trafficking. The team arrested Venkatesan’s car driver, Mani, on the OMR when he handed over a woman to a decoy on August 6. A car was seized from him.

Upon further investigation, police rescued two more women forced into prostitution from a private resort on the East Coast Road. A case was registered against the resort manager for deliberately allowing the illegal business.

Following a tip-off, police intercepted a car on the GST Road near Guindy on Monday and arrested Venkatesan. A victim who was with him in the car was taken into custody and referred to a home. Another car that was in possession of the accused was also seized.

Police searched a house occupied by Venkatesan in Madapakkam and seized a wrist watch worth Rs. 17,000, a motorcycle, three-sovereign gold chain and a couple of mobile phones.

Venkatesan, who managed to evade arrest, was involved in about 15 cases of trafficking offences in the last five years, the release said.