Thane Crime: Prostitution Racket Busted at Dombivli Lodge, 3 Women Rescued, Agent Arrested

Thane, July 1: In a significant crackdown on human trafficking, the Anti-Human Trafficking Cell (AHTC) of the Thane Police has busted a prostitution racket operating out of a lodge in Dombivli. Acting swiftly on a tip-off, police conducted a raid at Hotel Ruchi Lodge, located in the Sonarpada area, and rescued three women from the flesh trade. A female agent involved in the racket was arrested during the operation.

According to Senior Police Inspector Chetana Chaudhary of the AHTC, the operation was launched following actionable intelligence received on June 30 from local informers. A special team immediately moved in and conducted the raid, successfully rescuing the women and apprehending the accused.“Based on the input, we conducted the raid at the lodge, arrested one agent, and rescued three women who were being exploited,” said Inspector Chaudhary.

A case has been registered against the accused under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 143(1), 143(2), and 3(5), as well as Sections 4 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.

The rescued women have been sent to an observation home in Ulhasnagar for counseling and rehabilitation. Meanwhile, the arrested woman was produced before the court and has been remanded to police custody for further investigation.

Police sources indicate that further inquiries are underway to identify other individuals possibly involved in the trafficking network. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to continue such actions against human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation in the region.

This operation highlights the growing coordination between police units and local intelligence networks to crack down on trafficking and exploitation across urban areas like Thane and Dombivli.