CHENNAI: The Additional Director General of Police, Crime Branch CID has claimed in a status report filed before the Madras HC recently that The Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act is being effectively implemented in the State. The status report was filed in response to a PIL from Y Akbar Ahamad of Royapettah alleging that obscene pictures of women and children were being displayed on “Locanto” websites. Rescued victims of commercial sex practices were rehabilitated and traffickers sent for remand and notorious traffickers were detained under Goondas Act, the report said. In 2013, as many as 493 cases had been registered. A total of 662 victims were rescued and 1,000 traffickers were arrested. Traffickers numbering 979 were remanded. Twenty-one traffickers were detained under the Goondas Act. Of them, 17 were men. A total of 468 cases were registered in 2014 and 796 victims were rescued. Traffickers arrested were 994 and those remanded were 971. Twenty-three, including a woman, were detained under the Goondas Act. In 2015, 504 cases were registered. Nearly 750 victims were rescued and 1077 traffickers were arrested, of which 1053 were sent for remand. Traffickers detained under the Goondas Act were 24, including six women. 211 cases had been registered, 154 victims rescued, 430 traffickers were arrested, in 2016 up to July 31. A case in CB CID cyber cell was registered on July 15 against Siddhatha Velu of Thorapakkam and his wife Priscilla Siddhatha, in connection with posting of obscene images and videos depicting children in internet, the report said. Both were arrested and remanded. The two confessed their involvement during interrogation in escort services in Chennai. The matter was listed for compliance report on November 18, the report added. ]]>
