Raipur: A shocking case of human trafficking and a sex racket linked to an international network has surfaced in Raipur following a road accident on VIP Road.
Investigations led the police to a gang operating across multiple cities, with connections to Uzbekistan and Mumbai. The mastermind behind the racket was finally arrested from Kolkata in a police raid. After the accident on February 5, an Uzbek woman and DRI lawyer Bhavesh Acharya were arrested on charges of murder.
Further investigations uncovered a larger operation, leading to the detention of two local agents, Ravi Thackeray and Mohan, and the arrest of three women from Delhi and Hyderabad. Raids were conducted in Raipur, Kawardha, Ambikapur, and Kolkata, resulting in the arrest of additional agents.
The mastermind, operating from Kolkata, ran a state-wide sex racket with the help of people from his Mumbai-based entertainment agency. He used Locanto and other websites and WhatsApp to send pictures of women to clients, finalizing deals after receiving online payments.
The women, mostly foreign nationals, were paid ₹7,000 to ₹9,000 per day, while brokers charged ₹25,000 to ₹40,000 from clients, covering hotel stays and travel expenses.
During police interrogation, it was revealed that Nora (name changed), an Uzbek woman, arrived in Mumbai on a tourist visa on January 20 and reached Raipur on January 30. She met lawyer Bhavesh Acharya on January 31 through a broker and stayed with him at a hotel on VIP Road.
On February 5-6, they met again at the same hotel. Police found bank transactions of ₹27,000 twice from the lawyer’s account, further linking him to the racket. Following the accident, police raided Saraswati Nagar and found that Nora’s belongings had been taken away before their arrival.
Investigations led them to her friend Sofia (name changed), who was staying at another hotel on VIP Road. Sofia was detained, revealing that she was also involved in the operation.
A taxi driver, who acted as a link between the foreign women and clients, has also been arrested. It was discovered that Nora had been brought to Raipur on special demand, and both she and Sofia were accommodated in different hotels. The police are now deepening their investigation to uncover more connections in this international trafficking network.
The police have arrested 11 accused linked to the racket
Name and age of the accused Where to live
Ravi Thakare (55) R.D.A. Colony, Raipur
Jagendra Uke alias Mohan (29) Gudhiari, Raipur
Brijesh Saha (35) Ambikapur, recently living Raipur
Infatuation. Sajid (28) Santoshi Nagar, Raipur
Dinesh Lilwani (30) Tikrapara, Raipur
Sheikh Imran (34) Tikrapara, Raipur
Amit Soni (28) Purani Basti, Raipur
Ramendra Pathak (32) DD Nagar, Raipur
Sheikh Noorul Haque (49) Tikrapara, Raipur
Rajesh Panagarh (25) Kawardha
Jugal Kumar Rai (39) West Bengal, recently residing Niwas Raipur
