The Delhi Commission for Women said it had rescued 16 girls from Munirka area of the city on Wednesday. These children had allegedly been trafficked from Nepal.

Commission chairperson Swati Maliwal tweeted that the racket had been going on for the last eight months. She added that the girls had been brought to Delhi from Nepal on the promise of jobs.

The girls were confined to a small room in Munirka, and were being trafficked to Iraq and Kuwait, Maliwal alleged. The Delhi Commission for Women chairperson said that seven minors had already been sent to the two countries 15 days ago.

Maliwal added that she met Acting Nepalese Ambassador to India Bharat Kumar Regmi, who “appreciated” the commission for rescuing the children, and said his country would help in their rehabilitation.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal attacked the Centre, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and the Bharatiya Janata Party over the matter. “The Delhi Police is under them,” said Kejriwal. “What are they doing? It was their duty to stop this.”