Cyberabad Police Bust Prostitution Gang

The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) of Cyberabad busted a prostitution racket under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act on August 13, and rescued nine victims and arrested nine individuals.

Those arrested were identified as Hamer Singh alias Amid Singh (organizer), Thammi Srinivas (supervisor), Pokala Venkateshwarlu, Bekmetova Gulshat, Rakhmanova Malika alias Lovina Bora, Lakshman Tumu, Akash Bajaj, Gora Mohammed Wasim, and K Parthiban.

The rescued women included seven from five different States - West Bengal (2), Delhi (2), Jharkhand (1), Haryana (1) and Punjab (1) - and one each from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

The operation took place within the limits of Madhapur Police Station.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Women & Children Safety Wing, Cyberabad, Srujana Karnam, said that the AHTU team raided BSR Super Luxury & Living Hotel in Gayatri Nagar Colony, Parvath Nagar, Madhapur, following credible information about organised prostitution.

The accused had allegedly procured women from various parts of India, posted advertisements on websites such as Locanto and Skokka, contacted customers through calls and WhatsApp, and facilitated meetings in hotels, OYO rooms and other locations. They reportedly collected money from customers for these illegal activities.

The Madhapur police registered a case under various sections of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and the Foreigners Act, 1946.

The Cyberabad police once again urged women not to fall prey to traffickers who lured them with false job promises and the temptation of easy money. They warned that agents often targeted economically vulnerable women and forced them into prostitution.

They police also advised the management of OYO and other hotels to thoroughly verify guests' identity documents such as Aadhaar cards, and check the antecedents of single occupants during check-in. Strict instructions should also be issued for guests coming from other States, they said.

Residents have also been advised to verify the backgrounds of tenants before renting out their premises. If any illegal activity was detected in a rented property, the property would be seized, the police said.

Anyone with information about such activities has been urged to approach the local police, call Dial 100, or send a message to the WhatsApp number 9490617444.