’Let Porn Film sellers thrive’

Former corporator Datta Sagare defends over 25 porn CD vendors in Shukrawar Peth; argues that the trade feeds 300 poor families

'Let Porn Film sellers thrive'

Former corporator Datta Sagare defends over 25 porn CD vendors in Shukrawar Peth; argues that the trade feeds 300 poor families

Social worker Trupti Desai (25) went to film the thriving illegal business in porn CDs at the red light area in Shukrawar Peth on April 14. She almost got beaten up in the bargain. This reporter was accompanying Desai who had drawn his attention to the sleaze trade flourishing at a stone's throw from the Faraskhana police station.

Incensed by the filming of the blue film trade, Datta Sagare, a former corporator, and his associate, who identified himself as Raju Shaikh, assembled at the head of a mob of over 50 almost immediately. Some members in the crowd assaulted Desai and snatched the CDs she was carrying as evidence to the Faraskhana police station.

Sagare maintains that it was wrong on Desai's part to target the porn shops. "We did not want to endanger the future of the young boys accompanying Desai, so we have withdrawn our complaint. Whistleblowers should find bigger issues to highlight," Sagare said.

Sagare added, "About 300 families eke out a living from selling blue film CDs for as little as Rs 15. Please do not hurt their livelihood."

Senior Police Inspector Ranjit Dhule of the Faraskhana police station surprised Desai on the day by telling her that it was the student activists accompanying her who would be arrested for indulging in arson and looting, and not the assaulters in the mob.

"Dhule and Inspector Manohar Chikale pressured me not to sign the FIR," Desai added.u00a0

While Dhule could not be contacted despite repeated attempts, Inspector Manohar Chikale told MiD DAY that he was merely taking the other party's version of the complaint. No FIR has been filed in the case till date.