Sex trafficking accused get bail

PANJIM, JAN 15
A local court has granted conditional bail to two tourists who were arrested under the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act (ITPA) on Wednesday.
Anjuna police on Wednesday had rescued an Uzbek woman who was trafficked into Goa. The two tourists from Bangalore – Sharath Krishnamoorthy, 25, and Kartik Ravindranath, 25 who allegedly hired the woman for the night were arrested by the police.
Advocate Swapnil Nashnolkar, counsel for the accused, confirmed that both Banglorians have been bailed out on Rs 15,000 surety each, as one of the bail bond conditions.
“They are also asked to report to the investigation officer for a period of 10 days if required and not to tamper with evidences,” Nashnolkar said.
The 27-year-old was rescued at 6.30 am from a Calangute hotel by Calangute police team. The victim, who had arrived on tourist visa to Goa, last month, was sent to Merces protective home after the police recorded her statement.
The investigation till date reveals that the tourists had contacted two persons in Goa through the internet and had planned to meet the girl in Calangute. Once in Goa, the accused duo contacted the persons in the State, who then sent the woman to them.
Police are trying to trace the two persons who had forced the woman into prostitution.