NIA gets court's permission to arrest two detained by Mumbai Police for international human trafficking | Latest news India

Mumbai, A special court in Mumbai on Monday allowed the National Investigation Agency to formally arrest two people for their alleged involvement in international human trafficking in which Indians were lured to countries like Thailand and Cambodia with the promise of well-paying jobs. These Indians, mostly men between the ages of 20 and 45, were tortured and subjected to slavery in these countries, the NIA said. Accused Jerry Phillips Jacob and Godafi Alvarez were arrested by Mumbai police in March for sending Indians to Thailand, where they were held hostage in extremely poor conditions. Jacob and Alvarez are currently in custody. NIA Special Judge AK Lahoti on Monday allowed the NIA's request to formally arrest Jacob and Alvarez in the case. The NIA had recently taken over the investigation citing the presence of international human trafficking. However, the court reserved its order on the NIA's application seeking their custody for investigation until Tuesday. Special public prosecutor Sundeep Sadawarte, appearing for the NIA, told the court that the police investigation was limited to the borders of India, adding that the central agency had taken up the case considering the seriousness of the situation. The agency's initial investigation revealed involvement in international human smuggling, the NIA said. He told the court that other accused had been identified and were expected to be arrested. This is an “international conspiracy” where Indian youths are being trafficked to countries like Thailand, Cambodia, etc. were forced to work in fake call centers and indulge in credit card fraud, the NIA told the court. These victims were tortured and subjected to slavery, according to the statement presented to the court by the NIA. Appearing for accused Jacob and Alvarez, lawyer Zoheb Shaikh opposed the NIA's remand request, saying the informant in the case had voluntarily approached the duo for a job. After screening and verification, he was selected for a job in Phuket, Shaikh said, adding that he had created “nuisance” and returned home with the help of the Indian embassy there. Shaikh maintained that the case was filed by the informant to save himself. Furthermore, the NIA's claim that there is an international link is based on call data records, which have already been seized by the agency, the lawyer said. Jacob and Alvarez should be taken into judicial custody, Shaikh added. After hearing both sides, the court reserved its order for Tuesday. Jacob and Alvarez were booked under Section 370 of the Indian Penal Code and other offenses.

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