The Pune City police rescued three women, including one foreign national from Turkmenistan, after conducting a raid at a hotel in the upscale Koregaon Park area. One hotel staffer was arrested as part of the operation, which officials say was initiated following credible intelligence inputs regarding an active sex trafficking network operating in the locality.
Women rescued from high-end hotel
According to senior officials, the raid took place late on Friday at a hotel situated near German Bakery, a well-known landmark in Koregaon Park. During the operation, officers found three women allegedly forced into sex work. One of them was identified as a national of Turkmenistan, while the other two were Indian citizens.
Police said the rescued women were immediately taken to a safe facility for counselling and medical evaluation as per standard procedures under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA). Officials noted that further steps would be taken to ensure their rehabilitation.
Hotel staffer arrested for involvement
The police arrested a hotel staff member, identified as Aditya Anilkumar Singh, 31, who has been staying in the Koregaon Park area. Investigators believe he worked as a facilitator for the trafficking network by arranging rooms and coordinating customer access.
An official stated that Singh appeared to be in direct contact with a sex trafficking agent, who is currently absconding. The police are conducting searches to track the agent’s whereabouts and to determine if there are more individuals associated with the racket.
FIR lodged under BNS and PITA
A First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the Koregaon Park police station under the following sections:
- Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) – trafficking of persons
- Section 3(5) of the BNS – common intention
- Relevant provisions of the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA)
Officials emphasised that the case is being treated with seriousness given the involvement of a foreign victim and the possibility of an organised interstate or international network.
Probe expands to identify trafficking network
Police sources indicated that the rescued woman from Turkmenistan had arrived in India on a valid visa. Investigators are now examining whether she was brought into the country under false pretences or coerced after arrival. Her statement will form a key part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are also scrutinising the hotel’s staff records, visitor logs and CCTV footage to trace how long the racket had been operating. The police believe the location was chosen due to Koregaon Park’s steady inflow of domestic and foreign visitors, which may have helped the traffickers avoid immediate suspicion.
Efforts underway for rehabilitation and repatriation
Officials from the Women and Child Department have been involved in coordinating the rescued women’s care. For the foreign national, the police are working with the embassy to ensure proper assistance, including potential repatriation once legal formalities are completed.
Social workers assisting the victims said that counselling and long-term rehabilitation efforts would be extended to help them reintegrate safely.
Conclusion
The Pune police have intensified surveillance across hotels and rental establishments in Koregaon Park and surrounding areas to prevent similar illegal activities. Investigators say more arrests are likely as they uncover the full scope of the trafficking network linked to the raid.