Thai-ed and tested: Thai women rescued from sex racket in India
In a gripping undercover operation in India, Thane police dramatically dismantled a notorious underground sex racket, rescuing nine women, including two Thai nationals. This high-stakes raid just outside of Mumbai unfolded in two separate swoops, throwing a glaring spotlight on the murky world of human trafficking plaguing the region.
The Thane police force, tipped off by reliable sources, acted decisively on Wednesday, October 9, to swoop on a seemingly innocuous spa nestled within a bustling mall. Led by the Anti-Extortion Cell, the crime branch orchestrated a flawless raid on Tuesday, October 8, as confirmed by Assistant Police Inspector Sunil Tarmale.
An intensive First Information Report zeroed in on four individuals, including Thai suspects, responsible for masterminding the sordid affair. The charges, under section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, were promptly filed at Kapurbawdi police station. Distressingly, the ostensibly innocent spa staff were coerced into a shadowy life of sex work, as revealed by the police.
The operation’s mastermind, spa owner Sudhanshu Kumar Singh, and his employee, 19 year old Rahul Gaikwad, were at the heart of the investigation. As the net tightened, Gaikwad and an accomplice were apprehended on site, while the hunt for Singh and another female suspect intensified.
The heroics didn’t end there. In a second bold strike, the Anti-Human Trafficking Cell analysed credible intel that led them to a seedy hotel in the Chitalsar-Manpada area on Wednesday. A decoy customer paved the way for a successful bust, liberating two more beleaguered Thai women. Among the arrests was a 38 year old Thai woman, the alleged ring leader of the operation.
Senior Inspector Chetna Chowdhary, spearheading the charge, revealed a worrying trend: similar rackets, featuring Thai nationals, festering in popular hotspots such as Mumbai, Lonavala, and Goa. The two rescued Thai women are now safe in a rescue home, while investigations continue, reported News18.
Chitalsar police revealed they are leaving no stone unturned, pursuing charges under BNS section 143 and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. As the investigation rolls on, the daring police raids offer a glimmer of hope in the relentless fight against human trafficking.
