The Kerala Police have arrested seven persons in connection with exchange of partners for sex after a woman lodged a complaint with the Karukachal police in Kottayam district.
The Police said that while seven persons were arrested, more than 25 people are under observation and more arrests are likely to be made in a couple of days.
More than 5,000 individuals are in these groups and they were exchanging women, according to Police. Sources also said that several people who are in the higher echelons of society, including lawyers and doctors, are part of this group. According to TOI, while some women volunteered, many were forced into such activities by their husbands.
"Many wives who are forced into this against their wishes are showing suicidal tendencies and so we need to investigate with extreme care. Almost 90% of women are not comfortable with it, they were brainwashed into this," the report quoted an officer as saying.
Police probing scandal thoroughly
Police said that the accused belonged to three districts of the state, adding that people from across the state are part of this racket.
A senior police official from Kottayam told IANS, "The modus operandi is to first join the Telegram and Messenger groups and then two or three couples meet periodically. After that women are exchanged and there were even instances of a woman being shared by three men at a time. Money also changed hands as some single members in the group with some men providing their wives for money for a day of physical relationship."
Police said that a detailed investigation is on to get the minute details of those who were involved in this women exchange group and whether these group members have relationships with any other groups.
(With additional agency inputs)
