Prostitution: United Andhra Pradesh ranks 2nd in the country

Hyderabad: Flesh trade flourished in united Andhra Pradesh last year with the state police recording the second highest number of prostitution cases in the country. The undivided state contributed to nearly 20 per cent of immoral trafficking cases reported in India in 2013, revealed National Crime Record Bureau data.

While Tamil Nadu topped the list of states with the maximum number of prostitution cases, the data showed that flesh trade flourished in Hyderabad, Cyberabad, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam with an alarming number of cases booked under the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act.

While 2,541 prostitution cases were booked by the police in India, the AP police booked 489 cases, slightly less than Tamil Nadu’s 549.

Despite the Hyderabad police busting sex rackets frequently, discreet agents still run high-profile rackets in the city, often with Tollywood junior artistes and models on their payroll. Wealthy businessmen and highly paid professionals use their services, helping the flesh trade thrive in hotels and resorts in the city.

The rackets even use the Internet to advertise. “We find well organised prostitution rackets in the city with the main organisers working covertly while their aides work on the ground. They advertise on different websites and attract customers,” said West Zone DCP, Satyanarayana.

In the last two weeks, the city and Cyberabad police have busted four sex rackets after raiding resorts and hotels including the Bikanervala Hotel in Banjara Hills, and rescued 10 women, most of them Tollywood junior artistes. A 26-year-old Mumbai model was also rescued.

Vizag and Vijayawada also recorded increasing number of cases in 2013 as compared to previous years. While 19 cases in Vijayawada and 34 cases in Visakhapatnam were reported in 2012, the numbers increased to 34 and 50 respectively last year.