Mumbai crime branch detained wanted suspect Rajiya Patel, 45-year-old, after she was intercepted by immigration authorities at the Ahmedabad airport up on her arrival from Nairobi on December 19.
According to police officials, she was detained in accordance with Look-Out Circular (LOC) issued against her in 2019. The Mumbai crime branch had earlier raided a Bollywood choreographer and alleged associate of Patel’s dance studio in November 2018 and arrested Hamilton for allegedly sending girls to Nairobi under the pretence of offering them jobs at her dance club. Officials said, after the women arrived in Nairobi in Kenya, Patel allegedly took their passports and forced them into prostitution.
The police claim that Patel lived in Nairobi for more than 10 years and married a local woman. According to police inspector Ghanshyam Nair of Unit 5 of the Crime Branch, the couple owns and operates two dance clubs in Nairobi.
Patel was brought to Mumbai on transit remand and produced before a metropolitan magistrate court. The court remanded her to police custody till December 26, Nair added.
“The victim in her statement said she had approached Hamilton in July, 2018, for a job. Hamilton told her that her friend, Rajiya Patel, lived in Nairobi and ran two dance clubs and she could get a job there. The victim agreed and after completion of formalities, she was sent to Kenya the same month. The victim was promised Rs 1.5 lakh salary per month,” added the official.
The victim reported to the police that they were forced to dance from 8 pm to 4 am. while people came and showered them with cash. In a statement, the victim said Patel took all the money without paying her she refused to dance in the club. The incident came to light after Kenyan police searched the club and discovered several girls many of whom were Indians. In September 2018, additional officials reported that the victim and others were deported to India.
The victim then went to the crime branch and based on her statement case was filed at the Sahar police station. According to the Indian Penal Code, Hamilton was detained on suspicion of criminal intimidation and immoral trafficking and exploitation. Police discovered Hamilton had sent five to six women to Kenya during interrogation.