Sex workers and pimps arrested by the police in a recent raid at Simplex building in Grant Road on Monday alleged that the raid was conducted at the behest of a builder with vested interests.
“It is a known fact that Simplex building is home to prostitution, and has been for the last 20 years. The flats in the building have been taken on rent, and the agreement is renewed every two years,” said defense counsel Amol Vaze, who appeared at the Mazgaon court on behalf of the 300 girls and 180 others, who were arrested in the raid.
According to Rizwan Patel, Congress Taluka president from Kurla, for some time now, a builder has been trying to vacate the premises. “The recent raid was conducted beca-use the builder wanted to buy the building and raise a new complex over there. The tip-off for the raid was provided with this motive in mind,” Mr Patel alleged. He was present on behalf of some of his friends, who were allegedly arrested as customers.
Mr Vaze has filed for bail of the arrested accused in the case. “The police has slapped the accused with the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act. However, a number of people, who have been arrested by the police are road-side hawkers,” Mr Vaze claimed.
When asked about the allegations, Nisar Tamboli, DCP, Zone 2 said, “None of these allegations have not been brought to our notice. Hence, I cannot comment on it as yet.”