Sonu Punjaban convicted in prostitution case in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Geeta Arora alias Sonu Punjaban has been convicted in a case of kidnapping and prostitution of a minor girl by a city court. Punjaban, who once ruled the dark underbelly of flesh trade in Delhi, was arrested in the case in December 2017 by a team led by DCP (Crime Branch), Bhisham Singh.
The team relentlessly pursued the case and achieved the conviction in less than three years, an official said.
Punjaban is currently in judicial custody in Tihar and the quantum of sentence is yet to be announced.
The case pertains to a 16-year-old girl who was trafficked by Punjaban and her gang. Six people, including Punjaban, have been arrested till now.
An FIR under sections of rape, kidnap and POCSO Act was registered by family members of the teenager in Najafgarh, following which a hunt was launched to nab Punjaban.
Police found that she had five such criminal cases registered against her. Cases under IT Act were also registered against her.
The teen in question was repeatedly sold to different places in Delhi, UP and Haryana where she was raped by different men. An officer said that she somehow managed to escape and reached home. However, she was suffering from depression and was in constant fear for her life. Police recorded the teenager’s statement and a team was formed to track down Punjaban. The accused was later arrested from her hideout in Delhi.