Bombay HC: Accused Brothel Operator Cannot Escape Punishment Because Victim Is Illegal Immigrant

The Bombay High Court has held that an Indian citizen accused of running a brothel and forcing a woman into prostitution cannot escape punishment merely because the victim is allegedly an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh. Justice MM Sathaye rejected the defence argument as "victim shaming" and stated that the victim's immigration status does not lessen the offence committed against her.

The court upheld the conviction of Rani Singh under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, along with sentences of two and three years' imprisonment under separate provisions of the Act, to run concurrently. Justice Sathaye emphasised that the legal system "cannot permit an immigration label to become a licence for indignity" and that the court must protect the dignity and rights of trafficking victims regardless of labels such as "illegal immigrant" or "sex worker".