The racket was busted when officers of the anti-rowdy section of the detective
department, while posing as customers, arrest Anthony and two of his ''girls''
- both in their 20s.
While one girl was identified to be a resident of Bengal, the other was from
Bangalore. Both the girls are post-graduates and used to work as call center
executives too.
What has come as a surprise is that both the girls come from well-off families.
''The one from Bangalore is the daughter of a high-ranking central government
official while the other is a businessman's daughter based in Krishnagar in
Nadia district of West Bengal,'' said Rajesh Subarno, deputy commissioner of
police, detective department (special).
Anthony's modus operandi was simple. For the last three years, he has been
running a modelling agency too. So he would advertise in newspapers offering to
groom aspiring models. After recruiting them, he would lure them into
prostitution. Before shifting to Tarak Dutta Road in January last year, Anthony
ran two brothels at the nearby Circus Avenue.
During interrogation, the two girls admitted to the police that they had not
been forced into prostitution. Rather, it was a conscious choice that they made
to earn a fast buck. According to them, they would charge anything from Rs
5,000-7,000 per hour or Rs 18,000-23,000 for 24 hours. ''It was a part-time
affair for them, an easy way to make quick money,'' pointed out Subarno.
The two girls lived alone in the city and worked in call centers. ''During
interrogation, they told us that many more working girls are involved in the
racket,'' he added.
''They spoke fluent English and told us everything without batting an eyelid,''
said another officer, adding, ''they looked us in the eye and said they did not
repent what they had done.''
Gyanwant Singh, the deputy commissioner in charge of the detective department,
revealed that the police had stumbled upon the names and mobile numbers of many
high-profile clients. ''Many of their clients are high-profile businessmen and
executives. We have got their names and cell numbers. The racket was very
close-knit and we suspect more people are involved. Raids will be conducted
soon at other such dens operating in the city,'' said Singh.
For the locals, the arrest of the two girls has not come as a surprise.
''Everyday, people would go inside the building after parking their cars on the
road. It was an open secret and police knew about the racket. But it is strange
that they not take any action earlier,'' said Ranjan Majumdar, a resident.
''Anthony was arrested by the Karaya police six months back, but he was
released the very next day. It is obvious that some police were also hand in
glove with him,'' he added.
Meanwhile, Anthony and the two girls were produced at the Alipur Court this
afternoon. They have been remanded to police custody for three days.
