Ankit Salvi/Mumbai
A shocking and disgraceful case has emerged from Mumbai, the city of dreams, causing turmoil in both political circles and the police department. A 23-year-old MBA student from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, who had come in search of a better future and a good job, was allegedly lured to Mumbai with the promise of employment through BJP MLA Manisha Chaudhary. Instead, she was reportedly pushed into the world of dance bars.
According to the allegations, the main mastermind behind this racket is Suraj Pratap Singh Devda, the BJP General Secretary from the Dahisar area. It is alleged that Devda promised to marry the student, administered an intoxicating substance to her, recorded obscene videos of her, and, over the course of a year, sexually exploited her along with his associates. The victim also claims that he extorted ₹15 lakh from her by taking advantage of her vulnerable circumstances.
Based on the victim's complaint, Dahisar Police have registered a case against Devda and seven other accused individuals and have launched a search operation. Devda is reportedly considered close to MLA Manisha Chaudhary; however, Chaudhary has denied any association with him. She stated that Suraj Devda has nothing to do with her, is neither her worker nor her personal assistant, and added that BJP leader Pravin Darekar had inducted him into the party in 2023. She further said that the police should take strict action in the matter.
The victim, a resident of Shajapur district in Madhya Pradesh, was pursuing an MBA in Finance and Taxation in Indore. Having lost her father at an early age and raised by her uncle, she was in urgent need of financial support.
In August 2023, she allegedly met an agent named Mohsin Ansari in Indore. Mohsin reportedly used the name and political influence of Mumbai MLA Manisha Chaudhary to convince her that she could secure a prestigious, high-paying job in Mumbai. Believing these assurances, the victim arrived in Mumbai in October 2023, where she was accommodated in a paying guest (PG) facility at Diamond Tower in Mira Road. She later discovered that several other vulnerable young women from different states were already staying there.
The day after arriving in Mumbai, the owner of the PG accommodation, Satish, allegedly intimidated the victim and informed her that she had to attend a high-profile event that night, instructing her to carry her makeup kit.
Satish allegedly put her in an auto-rickshaw, which took her directly to Charvak Bar and Restaurant in Borivali East.
When she stepped out of the makeup room and looked around, she was horrified to find about 25 women dancing on stage.
It was there that she allegedly met BJP leader Suraj Pratap Singh Devda. According to the complaint, Devda
immediately recognised that she was new to this environment and began displaying his influence by spending ₹50,000 on her.
On the night of 16 October 2023, Suraj allegedly called the victim and told her that bar work was not suitable for her and that he could arrange a good job for her with a prominent chartered accountant.
He allegedly asked her to meet him near Sanjay Gandhi National Park. After she got into his car, he drove around isolated areas in Dahisar and Borivali. During this time, he allegedly mixed a powerful intoxicating substance into a soft drink and gave it to her.
When the victim regained consciousness, she found herself unclothed, while Suraj was allegedly recording obscene videos of her on his mobile phone. When she protested, he reportedly threatened to make the videos public and kill her. He later changed his stance and allegedly promised to marry her.
According to the complaint, Suraj continued to sexually exploit the victim under the pretence of marriage. Matters worsened on the night of 29 October 2023, when, after allegedly forcing himself upon her, he went downstairs to a restaurant.
When the victim later came downstairs, she allegedly found Suraj drinking with two of his friends, Munna and Ashish Choubey. The complaint states that Suraj encouraged his friends to sexually assault her as well. When she resisted, all three allegedly intimidated her by invoking their political influence and connections.
With no means to pay for her PG accommodation or continue her studies in Indore, the victim claims she was compelled to continue working at Charvak Bar.
During this period, Suraj allegedly gained complete control over her through false promises of marriage and extorted a total of ₹15 lakh from her in multiple instalments.
A major revelation allegedly occurred in July 2024. While staying in a hotel room, Suraj went to the washroom and received a phone call. The caller ID displayed the name "Home Minister." When the victim answered the call, she discovered that the caller was Suraj's wife.
According to the victim, this was when she realised that Suraj was already married and had allegedly deceived her solely for sexual and financial exploitation.
In her complaint to the police, the victim made another serious allegation. She claimed that Suraj Pratap Singh Devda,
agent Mohsin Ansari, PG owner Satish, and certain bar operators were involved in trafficking minor girls to several bars in Mumbai and Thane.
According to the complaint, young women from different parts of the country were lured to Mumbai with promises of employment. They were allegedly administered intoxicating substances, recorded in compromising situations, and then coerced into serving customers.
The main accused, Devda, is allegedly absconding along with his associates.
Multiple police teams are reportedly conducting raids to locate and apprehend them.
