Panaji (Goa): More than one decade after she pushed her daughter, who was then a juvenile, into prostitution; the Children’s Court has sent the mother behind bars for seven years. The court has sentenced her to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs one lakh – to be paid to the victim.

The incident dates back to 2004 when the State’s infamous Baina in Vasco town was known as the red-light area. The accused lady, who lived with her family in the populated chawl had allegedly pushed her daughter into the illicit trade for money.

The case came to the fore following a tip-off by a local NGO that alerted the crime branch (CB) and raided the prostitution den, rescuing the girl. A case under section 109 read with 376 (rape) of IPC, 4 and 5 of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 and under section 2 (m) punishable under section 8 (2) and under section 9 (4) of Goa Children’s Act, 2003 was registered against the mother, one Shivprakash Ayangar and a lady identified as Sapana. The mother was arrested on September 30 and was released on bail on November 16 in the very same year. However, two others are still on the large.

CB had submitted to the court that all efforts were made to trace other accused but unable to nab them.  A total of 11 prosecution witnesses were examined.

During the hearing, the prosecution led by K Sanzgiry had argued that mother and Sapana induced the minor in the prostitution in a rented premises belonging to the latter.  Ayangar is accused of sexually exploiting the girl.

Team TNV