Racket providing ‘sex packages’ busted

This picture has been used for representational purpose

The Mira-Bhayandar police's Human Trafficking Prevention Cell has unearthed a racket that provided ‘sex packages' to customers. The sex racket operated through an online platform and lured girls from other states to work as prostitutes. The police claim the packages ranged from Rs 3,000 to Rs 50,000. Three accused were booked, and two of them were arrested while a woman was rescued. Police are looking for the third accused. Senior Inspector Sampatrao Patil of the Cell received information that several people were running an online sex racket and circulating the message - Full night Mira-Bhayandar escort service-21 - with their contact number.

The police said when the customer contacted them, the accused would send a girl's photo on his WhatsApp. They would then charge Rs 3,000 for a short package which included the hotel room as well as a condom. For a full night they used to charge Rs 8,000 and for 10 days they used to take Rs 50,000. If the customer wanted to take the woman to a hotel or home of his choice, then charges were worked out, said a police officer. The police used a bogus customer to nab the accused.

"Two of the accused were identified as Sanjay Yadav and Deepak Lashakr. They came to the spot in a cab with the girl and when the deal was finalised and the accused accepted the amount, we caught the duo and rescued the girl," the officer added. The woman had been brought from the 24 Parganas district in West Bengal several days back. "We have booked three accused and arrested two under various sections of the IPC," said Senior Inspector Sampatrao Patil.