Evidences destroyed in human trafficking case

The Crime Branch on Wednesday told the Metropolitan Magistrate Court that the crucial evidence in a child trafficking case has been destroyed by the accused.

The Crime Branch of Mumbai Police along with Anti- Robbery and Dacoity Cell had busted racket of international human trafficking racket on April 20. They arrested three persons namely Aarif Shafi Farukhi (38), Rajesh Balaram Pawar (47) and Fatima Farid Ahmed (48) and rescued four children from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. Also later arrested another set of three accused Aslam Rafique Panchal(52), Sunil Jivatram Nandani (53) and Narsiya Joseph Munjali (46).

The Crime branch officials told the Metropolitan Magistrate Court that the crucial evidences bearing list of children's name is destroyed by the arrested alleged accused Aslam Rafique Panchal who is a crucial link to the case.

On Wednesday, all the accused were produced in the Metropolitan Magistrate Court where in , the three accused - Aarif Shafi Farukhi, Rajesh Balaram Pawar and Fatima Farid Ahmed - were given judicial custody till May,16. The other three accused Aslam Rafique Panchal, Sunil Jivatram Nandani and Narsiya Joseph Munjali were given police custody till May 9.

The investigators claimed that arrested Sunil and Narsiya acted as carrier agents for the racket.

Meanwhile Fatima has confessed her links with the racket and "pleaded guilty" and agreed to reveal names of other involved in the racket.