Latest news with #SocialSecurityBranch
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Sex racket busted, two women rescued from Dharampeth salon
Nagpur: In a swift crackdown on , Nagpur city police's Social Security Branch (SSB), under 'Operation Shakti,' rescued two women from a flesh trade being operated from a unisex salon in the bustling Dharampeth area on Tuesday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The two rescued women were lured into a sex trafficking racket with false promises of financial rewards, said police. They have now been moved to a government shelter for medical care and rehabilitation. The salon, rented around two years ago, was operating from the rooms, converting the parking zone for business purposes, said police. While the prime accused, Deepa Godade (35), was rounded up, the mastermind remained absconding, triggering a citywide manhunt. Godade was the manager of the spa and was instrumental in operating the flesh trade. She is now in custody. The raid, conducted by a team comprising head constables Sameer Shaikh, Prakash Mathankar, Ashwin Bhange, and others, led by Senior Inspector Rahul Shire under the supervision of DCP Rahul Maknikar and Addl CP (Crime) Vasant Pardeshi, exposed the racket operating under the guise of a legitimate spa. Sources stated the cops kept the spa under surveillance for some time with credible information about the ongoing sex racket thriving among top-notch clients. "We sent a police punter earlier in the day, but the spa owners refused to entertain him, leaving our raid unsuccessful. On our second attempt, we managed to crack them as the police informer sneaked inside and laid the trap. As soon as the spa operators accepted the cash, the cops barged in," said a cop who was part of the probe. Police seized Rs 3,000 in cash, an iPhone worth Rs 25,000, a Poco mobile worth Rs 10,000, a DVR valued at Rs 2,000, and a condom packet, totalling Rs 40,000 in confiscated items. "Operation Shakti is our commitment to uproot trafficking networks and protect vulnerable women," said CP Ravinder Singal. The accused face charges under Sections 143(2) (3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956. Investigations suggest links to a broader trafficking syndicate, with further arrests expected.
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Time of India
Police Bust Escort Agent's Network With ‘Jungle Resort Night out' Trap
Nagpur: In a dramatic sting operation, Nagpur's Social Security Branch (crime branch) dismantled a sophisticated interstate sex trafficking network on Friday. Cops also raided a Kamptee-based lodge in back-to-back actions under Operation Shakti, rescuing seven women in Friday's two raids. The action at Ganeshpeth exposed an escort gang operating a pan-India online sex trade, luring women with false promises of quick money and trapping them in prostitution. Meanwhile, another operation busted a lodge owner's nexus with a woman pimp at Kamptee. The city police, under CP Ravinder Singal, joint CP Navinchandra Reddy, and coordinator of Operation Shakti DCP Mahek Swami, had already issued a strict warning to owners of hotels, lodges, and service apartments against allowing their premises for flesh trade activities and human trafficking . The city police also released signage for hotels and lodges on Saturday, declaring 'zero tolerance' towards prostitution as per the ongoing operations. The first raid, executed near a hotel in the vicinity of the Ganeshpeth bus stand, targeted an elusive escort agent operating high-society bookings via a dedicated web portal. The police set a trap, baiting the gang with a fake invitation for a "jungle safari night out" at a Pench resort for top clients. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Five women, summoned from Delhi, Kolkata, and Odisha, were rescued after cabbie Sumit Ghate, linked to masterminds Rahul and Sachin, accepted cash from a police informer. Ghate was arrested, and police seized Rs21,000 from his possession. Rahul and Sachin, believed to be from Navi Mumbai, remain absconding. Sources revealed the duo supplied women, having fake Aadhaar cards, from Mumbai and evaded arrest for years despite prior rescues of women from their network in Nagpur. The raid, under DCP Rahul Maknikar and led by senior inspector Rahul Shire, assistant PI Shivaji Nanaware, and constables Ashwin Bhange, Sameer Shaikh, and Kunal Masram, unfolded between 5.40pm and 12.30am. A case was registered at Ganeshpeth police station based on Masram's complaint. In a parallel operation, PI Shire's team targeted a lodge-based sex racket at Aajani Village, arresting pimp Lata Belekar (65) and lodge manager Ishan Bhoyar (21). The raid followed a police warning to lodge owners against facilitating prostitution. Two women were rescued, having been deceived into the trade. Lodge owner Amol Manavatkar, also charged, remains at large. A case was filed based on head constable Kishor Thakre's complaint at New Kamptee Police Station. Operation Shakti continues, with efforts to apprehend absconding suspects and disrupt their networks. The rescued women are receiving support, and authorities urge citizens to report suspicious activities to aid ongoing investigations. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Time of India
Sex racket busted at Sadar salon; 5 women rescued
Nagpur: The Social Security Branch (SSB) of the Crime Branch busted a sex trafficking racket operating under the guise of a salon at Aakar Building, Gondwana Square, late Thursday night. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Two persons—Ashish Singh Thakur (43) and Sangeeta Bhimte (44)—were arrested, while a third, Vivek Thakur (36), is absconding. Five women were rescued, some allegedly coerced into prostitution. The raid was conducted between 6.05pm on July 25 and 1.55am on July 26 under Operation seized 12,000, three phones—including a high-end smartphone—register books, a DVR, and other material. The total value of the items is 1.24 lakh. A case has been registered under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and BNS. Authorities are probing links to a larger trafficking network. The rescued women were shifted to a shelter home.
