SANDEEP KAUR Vs. STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Since both these petitions arise from a common FIR and common questions of fact and law are involved in both the petitions, hence they are being disposed of by a common order.

(2.) The petitioners have filed the present petitions for seeking regular bail in FIR No. 209 of 2025, dtd. 22/12/2025, registered for the commission of offences punishable under Sec. 143 (3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Ss. 4 and 5 of the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act at Police Station Manali, District Kullu, H.P.

(3.) The petition is opposed by filing a status report asserting that the police party was on patrolling duty on 22/12/2025. They received secret information that some sex workers were operating at Mall Road, Manali, and Bus-stand of Manali. Vishwa Dev and Suraj assisted them. Sandeep Kuar, Kavita Khatoon and Santosh were bringing girls on the pretext of getting them house cleaning jobs. However, they were being forced into prostitution. The information was credible. 4-5 officials were called in civil dress. Sunita Sharma, Vice President, M.C. Manali and Rohit Kumar were associated as independent witnesses. A rukka was prepared. Rs.5000.00 was taken out by the Inspector. Rs.2500.00 were handed over to C. Sunil Mahant, and Rs.2500.00 were handed over to C. Mohan. The details of these currency notes were reduced to writing. They were asked to visit the spot and procure the services by paying money. They were also asked to inform the Inspector by missed call in case money was accepted. A missed call was made by C. Mohan at 1.40. The location was also shared. The police reached the spot and found 7 women and two men. The police apprehended them. They revealed their names as Santosh, Kavita Khatoon, Sandeep Kaur, R, A, F, S, Vishwa Dev and Suraj. R, A, F and S revealed that they were brought by Santosh, Kavita Khatoon and Sandeep Kaur with a promise to get them engaged as household help. However, they were forced into prostitution with the help of Vishwa Dev and Suraj. Two currency notes of of Rs.500.00each were found in possession of Santosh, Sandeep, Kavita, Vishwa Dev, and Suraj. Their serial numbers tallied with the currency notes handed over by the Inspector. The police arrested Sandeep Kaur, Kavtia Khatoon, Vishwa Dev and Suraj.