In a major crackdown on human trafficking, Delhi Police dismantled a sex racket in the bustling Paharganj area, rescuing 23 women and arresting seven individuals on Sunday.

The operation, which targeted an organized network exploiting vulnerable women, revealed the grim reality of illegal trade thriving in the heart of the capital.

The rescued group included three minors and ten Nepalese nationals, alongside women hailing from West Bengal and other Indian states. According to a senior police official, the accused lured their victims with false promises, only to coerce them into prostitution. The women were confined in a cramped room in Paharganj’s main market before being shuttled to various hotels across the area.

Acting on intelligence inputs, teams from Paharganj Police Station, Shardhanand Marg Police Post, and Himmatgarh Police Post launched a coordinated effort. Prior to the raids, officers conducted discreet surveillance and deployed decoy customers to confirm the illicit operations.

Once evidence was secured, multiple locations, including hotels, were stormed. Police intercepted scooters transporting the victims, leading to the successful rescue.

The arrested suspects, identified as Nurshed Alam (21), Md Rahul Alam (22), Abdul Mannan (30), Taushif Rexa, Shamim Alam (29), Md Jarul (26), and Monish (26), now face charges related to human trafficking and exploitation.

The operation underscores the persistent challenge of trafficking in urban hubs, with authorities vowing to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable populations and dismantle such networks.