Police raided an alleged prostitution racket operating in the Siddheshwar Galli area near the municipal office in Parbhani city on Friday night. The action was carried out by the Anti-Human Trafficking Cell after receiving information about illegal activities taking place at a house in the locality. During the operation, police arrested two women and rescued six women who were allegedly pushed into prostitution. Two customers present at the spot were also taken into custody by the police. Officials said the raid was conducted as part of efforts to curb human trafficking and immoral activities while ensuring the safety and rehabilitation of women exploited in such illegal operations.
According to officials, the Anti-Human Trafficking Cell received a tip-off that prostitution was being conducted at the residence of Sonabai Vasant Shinde. Acting on this information, a police team led by Assistant Police Inspector Gopi Sonet carried out a raid between 7:50 pm and 9:00 pm on Friday. During the operation, police found that Sonabai Vasant Shinde and Asha Sandesh Solanke, a resident of Bihari Colony in Manwat, were allegedly persuading women to engage in prostitution for financial gain. Officers also seized two ₹500 currency notes and other materials from the spot as evidence connected to the illegal activity.
During the raid, police rescued six women who had reportedly been brought to the location and forced into the trade. The rescued women are from different areas, including Parbhani, Nanded, Satara, and Mumbai. Investigators said the victims had allegedly been lured into the business with promises of financial benefits. Police stated that such rackets often target economically vulnerable women by offering money and then trapping them in exploitative situations. The rescued women have been provided assistance as per procedure, while authorities continue to gather further information about the network involved in the illegal activity.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Superintendent of Police Ravindrasingh Pardeshi. The police team involved in the raid included Assistant Police Inspectors Gopi Sonet and Sandeep Borkar, Police Sub-Inspector Pramod Devkate, and personnel Sugriv Kendre, Nilesh Bhujbal, Satpute, Hinglekar, Malsaminder, Pathan, Dukre and others. A case has been registered at Manwat police station under Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956. The investigation is currently being carried out by Police Inspector Laxman Kendre on the instructions of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Selu. Further investigation into the case is underway.