DCW asks MCD to present action plan for demolition on GB road

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) today issued a notice to North Delhi Municipal Corporation seeking to know within two days the civic body's action plan for demolition of illegal structures on GB road, infamous for prostitution and human trafficking.
The commission has also asked the municipal corporation to provide ownership records, house tax records and receipts and other relevant records for ascertaining the ownership of the brothels.
"DCW has been appalled to note the presence of several illegal structures within the brothels which include tehkhanas (hidden cells) that are often used by brothel owners to hide trafficked girls," the notice said.

"On its own accord, the commission has been conducting regular meetings with police, government and North MCD to identify the owners of the brothels and to ensure that these tehkhanas are demolished.
"The commission has been repeatedly requesting North MCD to demolish the tehkhanas within the brothels and provide ownership details of the brothels, yet the same has not happened till date," it added.
Earlier this month, DCW had conducted a number of raids in GB road area.

A couple and six others were recently arrested by Delhi Police for allegedly running a brothel in the area. Following this, 42 police personnel posted with the Kamla Market police station, under whose jurisdiction GB road falls, were transferred to other police stations for allegedly not taking action against the accused.

The police, however, denied any connection between the two developments and termed the transfers as "routine".
DCW chief Swati Maliwal had also alleged last week that investigations by the commission have revealed that the prostitution racket, operational in central Delhi's infamous GB road area, was "flourishing" under protection of a "Union minister" and a "senior leader of a prominent party".
She had, however, not named the two politicians.