At least one such transfer of property was detrimental as the man disowned the
sex worker after obtaining the title to the property.
According to police and NGOs working in AIDS and HIV awareness, the trend is
prevalent in Varachha. For the men the arrangement is financially lucrative
with monthly payments being as much as Rs 20,000 (approximately USD $480).
"It is advantageous for sex workers to show that they are not single and
involved in prostitution. For that they pay money to these 'partners'. They
prefer unmarried workers from diamond industry. However, married men too juggle
between their homes and duties for sex workers," says Task Force police
inspector K M Polara.
Kokila Thaker fell in love with her 'kept man' Subhash Patel a diamond worker.
She even signed property documents in his name. "As soon as the title was
transferred, he disowned her. Kokila tried a lot to convince him, but in vain.
But for sex workers the incident was nothing new. After such betrayals they
start life afresh with new partners," Pushpa Prajapati from preventive and
social medicine department said.
Mahendra Kikani a diamond worker in Katargam leaves home by 8 am to reach the
diamond unit. He spends a couple of hours at Varsha's place in Varachha before
joining his unit. "From the unit I earn less than Rs 10,000 (USD $240). The
additional Rs 20,000 from Varsha is great help to me. I have to be careful in
juggling between home and 'home away from home'."
Polara on the other hand said that in most cases these 'kepts men' are working
as agents and pimps. "The money they get from sex workers is commission for the
business they generate. We have arrested many agents from several areas, where
even local residents could not believe that organised prostitution racket was
going on."
