Chennai: Pimp in Central Crime Branch net

Chennai, Mar 4: As more skeletons kept tumbling out of his cupboard, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) police have slapped three more cases against a pimp Kannada Prasad for luring girls into prostitution by promising them entry into the film world.

CCB sources said Prasad, lodged in the Puzhal Central prison following his arrest on February 19, would be taken into police custody for further interrogation on the new charges filed against him.

Investigations revealed that Prasad had cheated many young girls with the promise of jobs and getting them an opportunity in films, and forced them into the flesh trade.

He also has a large network in the four southern states and had forced hundreds of girls into prostitution to expand his network.

It is also believed that he has close links with top film actresses and industrialists.

Utilising his good contacts with the police in all the four southern states, Prasad had forced hundreds of girls and junior artists into professional prostitution over the past 16 years. One such victim Simran, rescued by the police, was given a medical check-up at the Government Hospital yesterday. According to sources, police were also interrogating an Assamese girl, Kushyum, alleged to be the third wife of the arrested pimp.

Kushyum was arrested yesterday and was also lodged in Puzhal Central Prison after a court remanded her in judicial custody till March 14.

The CCB officials have also decided to take her into custody to elicit more information about the prostitution network run by Kannada Prasad.

As investigations revealed that three girls from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka were allegedly enticed by Prasad into the racket and forced them into flesh trade, three fresh cases were slapped against him.

Following filing of new cases against him, the CCB had decided to move a court, seeking his police custody for atleast five to six days for extensive interrogation.

Among the several shocking facts which had came to light during investigation, was that a number of top police officials were also said to be among the regular clients of Prasad.

Prasad's aide Gangadharan and broker Vimala were already arrested by the police and being questioned.

UNI