Latest news with #PITA
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Pune police bust drug racket run by ‘Lady Don' Kalyani Deshpande; 20 kg ganja seized
Pimpri-Chinchwad police on Saturday busted a ganja smuggling racket allegedly operated by notorious criminal Kalyani Deshpande and her gang. Acting on a tip-off, authorities arrested her husband and two other relatives involved in the illegal operation. The action was taken by the anti-narcotics cell of the Pimpri Chinchwad police. During routine patrolling on Pashan-Sus Road, police got information about Kalyani and her drug racket operating from the Kalyani Collection shop and her residence. Acting on the tip, police raided the shop located in Bavdhan. During the raid, police arrested her husband Umesh Suryakant Deshpande, 56, her niece Ashwarya Abhisekh Ranawade alias Ashwarya Nilesh Deshpande, 22, and Ashwarya's husband Abhisekh Ranawade, 32. However, the search for the Kalyani alias Jayashree Deshpande is underway. During the raid, police seized 20.73 kilograms of ganja, three mobile phones, ₹700 cash, total valued at ₹11,27,700. Sandeep Doiphode, DCP (crime) Pimpri-Chinchwad police, said, 'During the investigation, it was found that prime accused Kalyani supplied ganja to these three arrested accused in order to further the sale. Soon we will arrest the Kalyani in this case.' Police said Abhisekh Ranawade is the on-record criminal, and he was booked earlier by Faraskhana, Vishrambaug and Market Yard police station for various crimes. Kalyani has more than two dozen cases registered against her in the last two decades. These range from charges under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA) and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) to allegations of murder and financial fraud. She was also operating a sex racket from her bungalow in the Sus area of Pune. Her network was far-reaching, allegedly involving hoteliers and links to organised crime groups. In 2016, Kalyani was convicted and sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment—a rare judgment involving both PITA and MCOCA. According to police she was released from jail in 2023-24.
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Hans India
Online sex racket busted in Mumbai: 28-year-old man arrested, woman rescued
The Amboli Police in Mumbai have busted an online sex racket operating out of the Andheri area, leading to the arrest of a 28-year-old man allegedly running the illegal operation, officials said on Wednesday. A 30-year-old woman, believed to have been forced into prostitution, was rescued during the operation. The accused has been identified as Sarfaraz alias Mohammad Gulab Phoolbabu Sheikh, a resident of Versova in Andheri. According to police, Sarfaraz was using mobile phones and messaging apps like WhatsApp to operate the racket, offering women to clients at various hotels, lodges, and guest houses across the city based on demand. Police launched an undercover operation following a tip-off. A decoy customer contacted Sarfaraz, who then shared several photographs of women via WhatsApp for selection. Once a woman was chosen, the financial deal was also finalised over the phone. As per the plan, Sarfaraz was asked to bring the woman to a hotel on Veera Desai Road in Andheri. When he arrived at the hotel with the woman and began negotiating with the fake client, police officers who were already stationed nearby swooped in and detained him for questioning. During preliminary interrogation, the rescued woman told police that Sarfaraz had brought her to the hotel for prostitution. She was immediately taken for a medical check-up and later sent to a private rescue and rehabilitation centre in Kandivali for further care. Police have registered a case against Sarfaraz under Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant sections of the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA). Further investigation is underway to ascertain the scale of the operation and identify others who may be involved in the sex racket. Officials said more arrests are likely as the accused is being interrogated for details on his network, including customers, others, and women who may have been trafficked or coerced into the trade.
United News of India
19-05-2025
- United News of India
Police bust immoral trafficking racket in north Kashmir, 4 held
Srinagar, May 19 (UNI) The police busted an alleged immoral trafficking racket in Kunzer and apprehended four people, including a woman, in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir. Police on Monday said that acting on specific and credible input they busted a racket in the Barzulla Kunzer area . They said a team from police station Kunzer conducted a swift and well-coordinated raid, resulting in the apprehension of four people engaged in immoral activities. The arrested were identified as, Abdul Ahad Waza of Utikoo Sheikhpora; Mohammad Abdullah Waza of Barzulla Kunzer; Bilal Ahmad Bhat of Bamroda, currently living at Utikoo and a woman whose name has been withheld. Police said a case was registered at Police Station Kunzer under relevant sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (PITA). 'Further investigation is underway to identify and dismantle any larger network linked to this operation,' police said.
Business Mayor
01-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
PITA delegates told to address internet accessibility
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has urged members of the Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA) to address the ongoing challenge of internet accessibility across the region. Speaking during the official opening of PITA's 29th Annual General Meeting, Business Forum, and Expo 2025 at the Aquatic Centre, King George Six on Monday evening, PM Manele said internet access remains a pressing issue globally and regionally. 'As we continue to discuss telecommunications and Information Communication Technologies (ICTs), let us be reminded that according to the International Telecommunication Union, under half of the world's population still does not use the internet. This is a challenge not only for governments but also for all stakeholders in the telecommunications and ICT sector to address,' the Prime Minister emphasized. He cited a recent United Nations report on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which identifies ICT and digital transformation as critical enablers of inclusive development. 'ICT and digital transformation are beacons of hope for the United Nations principle of 'Leaving No One Behind',' he stated. 'This is particularly urgent for the Pacific Island region, where geographic scatteredness across a vast ocean space makes connectivity vital to development.' PM Manele also praised PITA for exemplifying regional cooperation and collaboration in the communication sector. 'PITA's AGM provides a platform for discussion and partnership among telecommunication entities in the Pacific. This includes government Telecom and ICT policy and regulatory agencies, associate members, and our regional development partners,' he said. More than 280 delegates from over 100 organizations and more than 30 countries have gathered in Honiara for the event, which is being hosted by Solomon Telekom. Themed 'Digital Nations and Smart Blue Continent: Strengthening the Digital Sovereignty, Connectivity and Resilience for the Pacific Future,' this year's gathering underscores the importance of ICT in shaping resilient and connected island nations. Over the next three days, participants will engage in high-level discussions on digital infrastructure, investment gaps, cybersecurity, submarine cables, AI, 5G, cloud computing, trusted networks, and the future of the internet in the Pacific. PITA continues to play a pivotal role as a regional telecommunications association, committed to promoting and advancing communication services across its member and associate member countries.
