Navi Mumbai: In a major crackdown on an online prostitution network, the Navi Mumbai Police’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) has arrested six individuals, including five agents and a rickshaw driver, and rescued eight women who were being forced into sex work. Three more accused agents, who initially escaped, were later traced and arrested from West Bengal, while a search continues for others still absconding.
Tip-Off Leads AHTU to Online Sex Racket Operating via Messaging Apps and Websites
The operation began on July 8 after the AHTU received a tip-off about an online sex racket operating across Navi Mumbai through messaging platforms and websites. Acting swiftly, the police deployed a decoy customer who contacted the gang through a number listed online.
Decoy Customer Used to Nab First Suspect at Hotel Golden Oak in Turbhe
The suspect was asked to book a room at Hotel Golden Oak in Turbhe and a woman was sent there by the agents. After receiving a signal from the decoy, police raided the hotel around 11 PM and detained the woman.
Based on her statement, Rajeshkumar Munna Yadav—alleged to be managing the online front of the racket—was arrested from Juhugaon in Vashi. Technical analysis of his mobile data helped the police trace the location of other victims being held in a rented house in Nerul.
A raid at the location led to the rescue of two more women, who revealed that they were under the control of agents Shambhu Munilal Upadhyay and Bobby alias Makbul Ansari.
Rickshaw Driver and Agents Held for Transporting Women Across Lodges
Further investigations led to the arrest of rickshaw driver Mukesh Rai and agent Dinesh Dangi, who had transported the women to lodges across the city for sex work. Two more women were rescued from their custody.
A case was registered under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA) at Turbhe MIDC Police Station, and the three arrested accused were remanded to police custody till July 14.
Three Absconding Agents Traced to West Bengal, Arrested in Joint Operation
While three of the agents managed to flee, the AHTU later received information that they had escaped to Malda in West Bengal. A team led by Assistant Police Inspector Yogesh Deshmukh, along with Constable Anil Mandole and Sepoy Parasur, travelled to Malda and, with help from local police, arrested Shambhu Munilal Upadhyay (32), Dhirendra Tilakchand Arya (26), and Makbul Bilal Ansari alias Bobby (43). The trio was brought back to Navi Mumbai and handed over to Turbhe MIDC Police for further investigation.
Racket Operated via Three Websites, Charged ₹4,000 Per Booking
"The mobile number used by the sex racket was found to be linked to three different websites for WhatsApp-based services. The agents used these platforms to chat with potential clients and arrange bookings in lodges across Vashi, Nerul, and Turbhe. Women were sent to customers for Rs 4,000 per visit, of which Rs 2,000 was paid to the woman, and the remaining amount was divided among the agents," assistant commissioner of police (AHTU) Dharampal Bansode said.
Crackdown Led by ACP Bansode and Senior Inspector Ghorpade
The entire operation was carried out under the guidance of the Assistant Commissioner of Police (AHTU) Bansode and led by Senior Police Inspector Prithviraj Ghorpade, Assistant Inspectors Yogesh Deshmukh and Alka Patil, PSI Sarita Gude, and their team.
