Mumbai Schoolteacher Arrested for Running Prostitution Racket in Thane

Thane, Maharashtra:  A schoolteacher from a reputed Mumbai institution has been arrested for allegedly operating a prostitution racket in Thane while continuing her teaching profession. The Anti-Human Trafficking Cell of the Thane crime branch conducted a raid near Silver Door Hotel and Restaurant on Ghodbunder Road, rescuing two women from the illegal trade.

Acting on a tip-off, senior police inspector Chetna Chaudhary and her team set up a decoy operation, leading to the teacher's arrest. During interrogation, the accused confessed to luring economically disadvantaged women into prostitution by offering financial incentives and circulating their photos to clients. She reportedly took a 20% commission from each transaction.

The accused has been booked under Section 143(1)(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA). Meanwhile, the rescued women have been sent to a government rehabilitation centre for assistance.

The raid was executed under the Thane Police Commissionerate, with PSI Snehal Shinde, ASI Deepak Walgude, and female officers Harshita Thorat and Poonam Kharat playing key roles in the operation. Authorities are now investigating possible accomplices and whether more women were trapped in the network.