Another kingpin in human trafficking escapes to US

Hyderabad, May 5: The city police today confirmed that Gujarat-based bookie Raju Pittie, who was named by one of the alleged kingpins in fake passport case Rashid as the main offender in the racket, has fled to the United States immediately after the scam was unearthed.

According to sources, Raju Pittie alias America Pittie alias Bookie Pittie had escaped to US along with his family, after Gujarat BJP MP Babubhai Katara was arrested in connection with the human trafficking case.

The Central Crime Station (CCS) police have launched hunt to unearth more information about Pittie. They conducted searches in the houses of his brothers and relatives in the city. The house, where Pittie was residing, is locked.

The sources said Pittie, considered to be a big cricket bookie in South India, had connections with Rashid and Shakeel, one of the accused in the racket and absconding. He used to send Gujarati women abroad on fake passports for huge payments.

He also set up a film production company along with Rashid and other travel agencies in the city.

Rashid surrendered before the police on May 3 and revealed names of Pittie and many other politicians involved in the racket.

UNI