Thane: A major prostitution racket operating under the guise of a massage centre was busted by the Mahatma Phule Police near Kalyan West Railway Station. The police raided the Avantra Spa in the Wardali area and rescued 10 victimised women, while three people were detained, and two were arrested in the operation.
According to Assistant Police Commissioner Kalyanji Ghete, Senior Police Inspector Pardeshi of Mahatma Phule Police Station received reliable intelligence about irregularities at the Avantra Spa. Acting on this tip, the police deployed undercover officers posing as customers to verify the claims. Upon inspection, it was found that the number of female workers in the spa was unusually high, and illegal services were being offered, as reported by Loksatta.
Under the guidance of Inspector Pardeshi, a joint team of police, search squad, and the Secret Service conducted a coordinated raid on the premises. During the raid, the police rescued 10 women who were allegedly lured into prostitution with the promise of money.
Following the raid, a panchnama was conducted, and action was taken against the spa's manager, Naushad Sheikh, and drivers Yogesh Chavan and Bhimsen Naik. Two of the three individuals were placed under arrest. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Prohibition of Prostitution Act, according to ACP Ghete, as reported.
According to the report, this incident has brought renewed attention to the rising number of such illegal massage parlours in Dombivli and nearby areas, which are allegedly operating without valid licenses from municipal, police, or revenue authorities. Many of these luxurious parlours are set up in basements, commercial shops, or buildings and are reportedly involved in running prostitution rackets by charging customers exorbitantly.
