Finding 'Russians' in dark underbelly of central Delhi

Posters advertising massage services which were pasted on the walls of hotels and on electricity poles in Paharganj till last year may be missing now, but the trade is still thriving – with the tacit approval of the policemen in the area.

“Since the arrival of the AAP government in Delhi, the posters have been missing from the market. We have become more discreet in our business now,” says Rajan, a man this reporter met on the street of Paharganj.

“I work for two hotels here and both the owners give Rs 1 lakh each to the beat constables every month – which goes up to their seniors – to let the business function here,” Rajan adds.

However, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Parmaditya thinks that all is well in Paharganj. “We have not received any complaint regarding flesh trade here. However, if you have any clue about it, you can share with us. We will take action.”

The transit stop of backpackers who come to India from around the world, Paharganj is also known for its numerous hotels offering sex by escort girls under the garb of massage parlours.

A sizable number of these escorts come from foreign countries, especially from the Central Asian ones.

After being convinced that I was a genuine client, Rajan offers to take me to one such place where I could get a ‘massage’ by a ‘Russian’ (a term usually used for people from all Central Asian countries).

High-end versions of what is available at the nearby GB Road, some of the massage parlours in Paharganj hotels are for clients who have deeper pockets and don’t want to experience the haggling with pimps, and unhygienic surrounding of a usual red-light area.

Also, as Rajan informs, “Unlike GB Road, one can get a Russian here.”

According to an official at The Foreigner Regional Registration Office, these women are brought in from their countries and then roped in illegally by massage parlours, spas, bars and pubs under the garb of jobs like masseurs, dancers and waitresses. Women from Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Indonesia, Thailand, Mauritius and Nepal come on tourist visas and start working here.

I set off on a rickshaw with Rajan.  After riding through the chaotic streets in the inner part of the market, Rajan asks the rickshaw puller to stop at in front of a small hotel.
He goes inside and speaks to the receptionist in a hushed tone, and then returns.
“Let’s go somewhere else, no one is available right now,” Rajan says and suggests that we walk.

Coming out from the narrow lanes, we started walking towards DB Gupta Road. On being asked what happened at the hotel, Rajan replies that the ‘Russian’ girls are not available there at the moment.

At the next hotel, Rajan has a brief discussion with two men sitting at the entrance. One of them asks me to produce an identity card.

ID check
I offer my PAN card but they insist on voter ID or a driving licence. They relent when Rajan intervenes. We both then proceed to the first floor. Rajan opens the door of a room with the key he has, and we sit there watching television to kill time. The room is neat and fully furnished with an attached bathroom.

After 30 minutes, a bulky man with a beard and nonchalance written on his face enters the room, humming a song. In a slight Haryanvi accent, he explains to me the charges, which include the room as well.

“For one shot, which lasts for maximum one hour, you have to pay Rs 4,000 for an Indian girl, and for the entire night, it goes up to Rs 12,000,” he says.

He then takes out his mobile phone and shows me the profiles of different girls on WhatsApp. Sensing my disappointment, he then shows the photos of two ‘Russian’ women, who he says will come for no less than Rs 25,000.

“These Russians would do anything you ask them for one night,” he says.

I take Rajan aside and feign displeasure over the high rates. I tell him that I will decide after some time and give him a call in the evening, and leave the place.

The FRRO has launched a crackdown on escort agencies in the capital, but

foreigners are still employed with them in large numbers.

“They are approached by people known to them and who are already into the profession here. Once they agree to the terms and conditions, they come here on either tourist or student visas,” says an FRRO official.