Five women rescued from ‘massage centre’; owner arrested

Anti-human trafficking unit of Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate raided lodge near Alandi Phata at around 7.15pm on Friday and rescued five women

Pune: The anti-human trafficking unit (AHTU) of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate raided a lodge near Alandi Phata at around 7.15pm on Friday and rescued five women. According to officials, prostitution was allegedly being carried out under the guise of lodging services and massage parlour.

Anti-human trafficking unit of Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate raided lodge near Alandi Phata at around 7.15pm on Friday and rescued five women. ((PIC FOR REPRESENTATION))

Police have arrested the lodge owner Gajanan Satvaji Awhad, 28, of Alandi, hailing from Dahitna in Parbhani district. Chakan Police Station has filed a case against the accused.

According to the police data, raids have been conducted at 26 locations involved in illegal prostitution since the beginning of the year. These include six massage parlours, seven hotels, three residential flats, and ten online-based prostitution setups. A total of 42 accused have been arrested, while 55 victim women have been rescued in these operations.