Kochi: Bilal alias Sreekumar of Mavelikkara, arrested on Thursday in connection with an international sex trafficking case, is the key accused involved in identifying and transporting victims abroad, police said.
Role of the Accused
City police commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar stated on Friday that the racket operated as an organised network, with Bilal serving as the crucial link. “What we understand in the primary probe is that he was the one identifying people, recruiting them and supplying them to the racket. It is suspected that he was getting Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh as commission per person.”
Further Investigations
Police are also investigating events organised by the racket abroad to determine whether such events were held to recruit victims. The commissioner added that more people have contacted the police alleging similar experiences with the racket. However, police will proceed only after verifying the genuineness of each complaint.
Prime Accused Remanded
The prime accused, Stoicy alias Sindhu, 56, a resident of Aluva, was remanded on Thursday in a case filed by a woman who was allegedly exploited after being offered a job as a make-up artist for an event management company in Dubai. She was made to pay Rs 5 lakh for the visa and job. The woman alleged that upon reaching Dubai, she was given drinks laced with intoxicants and became unconscious. She claimed she was gang-raped by men sent by the racket, who accepted money from them. The racket then sent videos of the assault to her husband and relatives.
Evidence and Other Accused
Police have found UPI transactions and other communications between Sindhu, Aleena, and Manjima, who were arrested earlier. Two more individuals—Shamla and Rehmath—have been listed as the remaining accused in the case. The commissioner added that all legal efforts are being made to bring back the two accused who are abroad.
