A sex racket being operated under the cover of a beauty salon was busted by the Social Security Branch (SSB) of the Crime Branch during a late-night raid at Kopper Salon in Gondwana Chowk. The raid, conducted between 6:05 pm on July 25 and 1:55 am on July 26, led to the rescue of five women and the arrest of two accused. One person involved in the racket is currently absconding.
The case has been registered at Sadar Police Station under FIR No. 453/2025. Charges have been filed under Sections 143(2)(3) of the Indian Penal Code along with Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Prevention of Immoral Traffic Act (PITA), 1956.
The salon, located in Akar Building No. 19/4 at Gondwana Chowk, was allegedly being used as a front for illegal activities. Acting on specific intelligence, the SSB team raided the premises and uncovered commercial sexual exploitation being carried out under the pretense of salon services.
The arrested accused have been identified as Ashish Singh Durga Singh Thakur (43), a resident of Nikhira Apartment, New Colony, Sadar, and Sangeeta Pradeep Bhimte (44), a resident near Christian Cemetery, behind Ginger Mall, Jaripatka. A third accused, Vivek Durga Singh Thakur (36) of Jafar Nagar, has been named as absconding, and efforts are underway to trace his whereabouts.
Police seized several incriminating items from the location, collectively valued at ?1,24,780. The seized materials include a DVR (?3,000), condom packets (?10), cash worth ?5,500, a Vivo mobile (?15,000), an Oppo mobile (?10,000), an Apple iPhone (?90,000), three register books (?270), and additional cash of ?6,500.
Following standard protocol, all rescued women and arrested individuals were subjected to medical examination. The seized evidence and relevant documents were handed over to the Sadar Police Station for further investigation.
The operation was led by PI Rahul Shire from the Social Security Branch, assisted by WHC Arti Chouhan, NPC Sheshrao Raut, and police constables Ashwin Mange, Kunal Masram, Sameer Sheikh, and WPC Poonam Shende. Officials believe that the exposure of this racket may lead to uncovering a broader network involved in trafficking and exploitation in the city.
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