Thane, October 12: A television and web series actor has been rescued from an alleged prostitution racket operating out of a hotel in Maharashtra’s Thane district, police said. A woman accused of acting as a handler has been arrested, while authorities are searching for an alleged male accomplice. Two other people have also been arrested in connection with the case.
According to reports, the racket specifically targeted women working in the entertainment industry, including television serials, web series and photoshoots.
Police launched the operation after receiving a tip-off from a non-profit organisation about the alleged trafficking network. Investigators reportedly found that the accused were using WhatsApp to send photographs of women to prospective customers and arrange paid sexual services.
To verify the information, police allegedly deployed a decoy customer along with witnesses and laid a trap at Naivedya Lodging and Boarding on Mira Road. The raid took place at around 6 pm on October 8.
During the operation, police caught the alleged female handler, identified as Tabassum, also known as Sonia Umar Qureshi, 39, while she was reportedly accepting a prearranged payment. Officers seized cash and other evidence during the raid.
The rescued actor has been sent to the Rescue Foundation in Kandivali, Mumbai, for protection and care.
Police have registered a case under Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Sections 4 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956. These provisions relate to trafficking-related offences and activities connected with prostitution.
The investigation is ongoing, with police working to trace the alleged male accomplice and establish the full extent of the network.
The case has raised fresh concerns about the exploitation of women in the entertainment industry and the use of social media platforms to facilitate alleged trafficking activities. Police have not publicly disclosed the rescued actor’s identity.
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