Mumbai: 14-year-old rescued from prostitution racket, TV casting directors arrested

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The Social Service Branch (SSB) of Mumbai Crime Branch, on Wednesday, rescued a 14-year-old girl from Andheri who was allegedly forced into prostitution by a racket of three casting directors of TV industry.

Based on specific information, the SSB raided a premise in Andheri on Wednesday night, arrested the casting directors and rescued the minor girl. The directors are identified as Ashish Patel, Mohammed Shaikh and Vinod Aneria.

The initial investigation has revealed that the accused had lured the girl with roles in TV serials.

"The girl was first offered a small role in a TV serial and then the accused directors forced her into prostitution racket." ACP Sanjay Patil of SSB told mid-day

We have found that they took Rs. 3.5 lakh from the client and gave 30 thousand rupees to the victim for one night," and investigating officer said.

The accused have been arrested under section 4, 5 of PITA act and relevant sections of POCSO and Indian Penal Code.