Pakiza and 3 Women Rescued in Surat

Pakiza, happy to be rescued

On May 18, we learned about Pakiza -- a Bangladeshi victim being forced into prostitution at different spas across Surat, Gujarat. Her trafficker was her ex-husband, who married, then trafficked her to India.

On May 19, we met the Deputy Commissioner of Police of Surat's Crime Branch. We presented him with our evidence about Pakiza, and he quickly assembled a team of officers from the Anti Human Trafficking Unit. The police wanted to initiate a raid that same day, but we learned that Pakiza was not at the spa that afternoon.

On May 20, we received confirmation that Pakiza was at the spa, and the police and our team immediately raided the brothel. We found Pakiza, as well as three other Bangladeshi women, Charu, Sareema, and Bhumi, who were forced into prostitution. The spa manager and Pakiza’s husband are absconding.  

The survivors were taken to the police station. They shared their details with the police, who filed a First Information Report. Pakiza, Charu, Sareema, and Bhumi were taken to their medical tests, and then to a one-stop-centre, a temporary shelter for women. After a few days, they were placed in a shelter home.

Charu, Sareema, and Bhumi