Mumbai, April 1 (IANS) The Mumbai Police on Wednesday busted an alleged prostitution racket operating across Ghatkopar, Andheri, and Sakinaka, detaining a 38-year-old woman accused of running the network and rescuing two women from exploitation.

The accused, identified as Kavita Anil Mane, a resident of Kandivali, is alleged to have financially exploited vulnerable women by luring them with money and arranging their services for clients.

According to the Ghatkopar police, a case has been registered against the accused under Section 143(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 4 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. Further investigation into the matter is ongoing.

Police said they received a tip-off from a confidential informant stating that a woman named Kavita was supplying women to hotels in Ghatkopar, Sakinaka, and Andheri for sexual services. Acting on the information, the police deployed a decoy customer to establish contact. The accused allegedly shared photographs of herself and two other women with the decoy.

Mane reportedly demanded Rs 30,000 per woman from the client before arranging their services. Based on this, the police laid a trap and called her to a lodge on the Ghatkopar-Andheri Link Road under the pretext of finalising the deal. To catch her red-handed, the police prepared bundles of currency notes, placing two genuine Rs 500 notes on top and using dummy notes resembling Rs 500 bills from the ‘Indian Children Bank’ for the rest.

The accused arrived at the location with two women, aged 32 and 31. She was apprehended while allegedly accepting money for providing sexual services. During questioning, the rescued women revealed that Mane had promised them Rs 15,000 each in exchange for offering services to clients.

Police confirmed that both women have been rescued and are being provided necessary assistance, while further efforts are underway to identify other individuals linked to the racket.

In a similar incident last year, a joint team of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) and Noida Police busted a prostitution racket in Sector 63, Behlolpur, rescuing seven women aged between 16 and 30. Several accused were arrested, while others managed to escape. Investigations revealed that the main accused and his accomplices were actively recruiting women from nearby districts.

Authorities have reiterated their commitment to cracking down on such illegal activities and ensuring strict action against those involved in human trafficking and exploitation.

–IANS

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