{"id":6141,"date":"2019-10-24T09:20:42","date_gmt":"2019-10-24T09:20:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fighttrafficking.org\/?post_type=news_atc&p=6141"},"modified":"2020-01-31T09:25:30","modified_gmt":"2020-01-31T09:25:30","slug":"couple-accused-of-exploiting-bangladeshi-women-one-allegedly-coaxed-into-prostitution","status":"publish","type":"news_atc","link":"https:\/\/www.fighttrafficking.org\/demo\/news_atc\/couple-accused-of-exploiting-bangladeshi-women-one-allegedly-coaxed-into-prostitution\/","title":{"rendered":"Couple accused of exploiting Bangladeshi women, one allegedly ‘coaxed’ into prostitution"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Couple accused of exploiting Bangladeshi women, one allegedly ‘coaxed’ into prostitution<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

<\/p>\n

Date: October 24, 2019<\/p>\n

\n

Yesterday, Deputy Public Prosecutor James Chew urged District Judge Shaiffudin Saruwan to convict Malkar Savlaram Anant and his wife, Priyanka Bhattacharya Rajesh, after a trial.<\/p>\n

He argued that the couple had abused their power by verbally abusing the victims and imposing severe financial penalties should they resign.<\/p>\n

The case could potentially lead to the first labour trafficking conviction under the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act.<\/p>\n

Malkar, 51, and Priyanka, 31, both Indian nationals, jointly managed two downtown entertainment nightclubs.<\/p>\n

Malkar would recruit performing artists, with the help of employment agents in India and Bangladesh, to dance and entertain patrons at the clubs.<\/p>\n

The couple allegedly had tight control over the women’s movements and communications.<\/p>\n

The first victim arrived in Singapore in 2015 and the other two in 2016. They were promised a monthly salary of $982.<\/p>\n

Their duties included dancing for customers at the clubs to earn tips that formed part of the clubs’ revenues.<\/p>\n

The victims shared an apartment with the couple and two other employees.<\/p>\n

The first victim had come here under the impression that she would be working as a dancer.<\/p>\n

About a month after her arrival, Priyanka allegedly informed her she had to collect at least $10,000 in tips each month, or forgo her full salary.<\/p>\n

Priyanka also allegedly told her she had to go out with customers. When the victim said she wanted to return to Bangladesh, Priyanka allegedly asked her for money.<\/p>\n

Priyanka allegedly told the victim her performance was sub-par, and she could improve her earnings if she went out with customers, said DPP Chew.<\/p>\n

The victim allegedly had sex with three customers in 2016 and received at least $1,000 and valuables such as jewellery.<\/p>\n

But the money she earned was allegedly taken from her, and she was allegedly subjected to body searches and stripped of the valuables when she returned to the apartment.<\/p>\n

The couple also allegedly subjected the victims to oppressive conditions such as preventing them from leaving the apartment on their own and had their identification documents confiscated.<\/p>\n

The women allegedly had to sign employment contracts in English without given any explanations.<\/p>\n

The first victim eventually ran away from the club through the back door in 2016.<\/p>\n

In their defence, Priyanka denied involvement in the work of the clubs. She also claimed that she had minimal interaction with the victims.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
Malkar said none of the victims had sex with the customers.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n

Both also denied having seen the employment contracts the victims signed and confiscating passports, work permits and mobile phones.<\/p>\n

The verdict is expected to be passed next month.<\/p>\n

Read The Newpaper (source) Article <\/span>here<\/a>.
<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\r\n
Related Posts<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n \r\n Kerala Budget Focuses on Women Safety: Proposes Public Register of Sex Offenders <\/a>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"\"\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n \u201cIt\u2019s Saturday evening at the National Human Trafficking Hotline, and we\u2019ve had non-stop calls since mid-afternoon. I know there are Read more<\/a> <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n \r\n \r\n Human Trafficking Survivor Writes a Letter to the PM <\/a>\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\n \"\"\r\n\r\n <\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

\r\n \u201cIt\u2019s Saturday evening at the National Human Trafficking Hotline, and we\u2019ve had non-stop calls since mid-afternoon. I know there are Read more<\/a> <\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n