Pune: A group of 13 Bangladeshi women, of the 34 detained at an observation home for women in Mohammedwadi after being rescued from the flesh trade, escaped from the facility around 7am on March 23 after allegedly assaulting a woman caretaker.“We have traced and detained two of the women. Three teams have been formed to locate the remaining 11,” senior inspector Mansingh Patil of the Kalepadal police told TOI.Police initially registered a missing persons complaint following the incident. “On Friday night, we registered an FIR against the women for assault,” Patil said.According to police, the observation home is a secured, govt-funded facility with high boundary walls and a reinforced entrance gate. All 34 Bangladeshi women housed there had been rescued from the flesh trade in areas such as Faraskhana, Kondhwa, Jejuri and Shirur. They were also facing action for illegal stay in India, and their deportation process was underway.Explaining the sequence of events, Patil said three of the women allegedly planned the escape. “The inmates are assigned daily chores such as cleaning and washing. This gave them familiarity with the facility, including the location of keys and the caretakers’ routine,” he said.“The three women seized an opportunity when they found the caretaker alone around 7am. They allegedly assaulted her, tied her hands and legs and used the keys to unlock the main gate,” he added.The three women fled first, followed by 10 others. “While 13 women managed to escape, two were apprehended shortly afterwards near the facility,” Patil said.Police teams are currently conducting searches in Kondhwa, Katraj and Mohammedwadi areas to trace the remaining women.
