174 escort services website to be blocked: State to Bombay High Court

The state government on Wednesday informed the Bombay High Court that it has forwarded details of 174 websites to the Union government's cyber law, department of information technology to block these websites which provide escort services and are used for prostitution.

In an affidavit filed by Sanjay Salunkhe senior police inspector of the social service branch, says that the department has also obtained orders from the magistrate court and written to the domain service provider to take action of blocking of websites. However, it also mentions that till date no website has been blocked.

Government pleader Poornima Kantharia appearing for the government argued that police are taking all necessary efforts but the accused are smarter than the police and many time our efforts are frustrated. However, she assured the court that on a regular basis police investigations were on and submitted details of the case registered by the police.

As per the statistics provided in 2014, the social service branch registered a total of 86 cases against brothels, beauty massage spas, escort services and guest houses and others. In 2015, a total of 102 cases were registered and until now this year 17 case have been registered.

The court has now directed the police to file a further affidavit placing on record the action taken by it against the escort services by June. The direction was given during the hearing of a PIL filed by one Ali Ahmed Siddique, who has sought action against escort services in the city, who advertise through the internet by putting up phone numbers and other information.