The Yerawada Police have exposed a prostitution racket operating in a residential area of Kalyani Nagar in Hotel Spring Brook Lodge. The incident took place on March 13. The hotel owner was booked on Monday.
Regarding the matter, a case has been registered against the owner, manager and one other person for involvement in the illegal activity.
The accused have been identified as Sonia Gidwani, Amol Tambade and an agent known as Bunty.
Initially, Gidwani's name was not mentioned in the police complaint and she was not booked. However, after further investigation, she and two others have now been named as accused in the case.
According to the police, during the investigation, it was revealed that Tambade was providing customers with photos and contact details of women at the instruction of Gidwani. The racket was being run for financial gain, with women being supplied to clients at the lodge.
The accused have been charged under sections 3, 4, 5, 7 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956. Due to the involvement of multiple individuals, additional charges under Section 143(3) of the BNS have been added to the case.
Ravindra Shelke, Senior Police Inspector (Yerawada Police Station), speaking to The Free Press Journal said, "Gidwani and Bunty are wanted in the case and on the run. We are investigating the matter. Soon they both will be arrested."
In June 2023, a case was registered against Gidwani and another individual for allegedly taking over the lodge. The Yerawada Police have now filed a chargesheet in court regarding the matter.
According to the case details, the original owner of the lodge had given the property on rent to Gidwani under a legal agreement. However, after the lease period expired, they neither returned possession of the lodge to the owner nor continued paying rent.
