Chargesheet filed in Vadodara sex racket case

Vadodara, May 24 (UNI) A chargesheet was filed in the Sessions court here today against seven persons for their involvement in the sex scandal that broke out in February this year, in which Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), B I Patel, was also involved who allegedly committed suicide in Surat later.

The chargesheet was filed by the CID Crime Branch under the direction of Deputy Superintendent of Police M U Mirza against seven accused after completion of the inquiry.

The seven include the husband-wife duo Manoj and Anita Sharma, who operated the sex racket, Balram Shridhar De, Harish G Pandit, Salim Nazir Sheikh, Gita Shah and Jayanti Goverdhan Patel.

The husband-wife duo was arrested on March 3, after a raid on their beauty parlour situated in Akshardham society in Manjalpur area of the city. Two girls, including a 16-year-old, were rescued.

They were brought here from Vasai in Maharashtra.

The 16-page chargesheet listed 35 panchs and 43 eyewitnesses.

The 16-year-old girl, in her complainant, stated that she was brought into the sex racket by the couple running the beauty parlour and was forced into having a physical relationship with the deceased Patel and one Harish Pandit, owner of the Mamta Hotel in Alkapuri area on two occasions. Another 19-year-old girl is still at large.

During interrogation, Anita admitted that she had sent the 16-year-old girl to the duo.

UNI