NAGPUR: Crime branch sleuths raided a brothel run under the cover of a beauty parlour in Dharampeth and arrested a pimp for running the prostitution racket on Friday. They also rescued three sex workers while seizing incriminating material, a scooter and cash worth Rs 4,000 from the lady running the place.
The lady arrested has been identified as Sandhya Nanote. Her husband, Dilip, owns a weekly local newspaper named 'Shodh', and sources said he is also connected with a political party.
Police sources said that two years ago Sandhya had been nominated for NMC elections while her husband had also contested some elections in a political party. After both of them lost the elections, Sandhya started the saloon, said the source.
Sandhya reportedly started the saloon with the intention of running it as a brothel two years ago by employing good-looking and needy girls. She also runs another beauty saloon at Raj Nagar.
The crime branch sleuths said that they received a tip-off against the beauty saloon at Narmada Plaza shop no 34, old Tanga Square, near Traffic Park, Dharampeth. Though the shop board described it as a beauty saloon it also provided health massage and spa facilities. After being informed about the racket, the cops kept a watch on it for two days.
A decoy customer was sent but initially the owner did not entertain him. Later, the decoy gained their confidence and was offered a girl for Rs 2,000 on Friday afternoon. The decoy then signalled the cops waiting outside, who raided the shop, said assistant commissioner of police (cyber crime) NY Sawant.
According to Sawant, the accused would attract customers by issuing advertisements in newspapers and through their own contacts. They would supply city girls for Rs 2,000 and above. The arrested woman and the girls at the saloon were handed over to Sitabuldi police for further investigations.
Three sex workers, a 23-year-old graduate, a 19-year-old and a middle-aged woman were found at parlour during the raid.
Sandhya, a native of Kailash Nagar, had completed a beautician's course at a private institution. "In further questioning, we want to find out since when she started the brothel business," said Sawant.
Cops have booked Sandhya under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. TOI
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