Nagpur: Acting under Operation Shakti, The Social Security Branch (SSB) of Nagpur Crime Branch on Thursday, raided a spa and salon in Rana Pratap Nagar area and busted a sex racket being operated in violation of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956. The raid was conducted at Icon Spa and Salon, located at Shri Prasad Apartments, Mangal Murti Chowk.

During the operation, police arrested the spa’s manager, Ranjit Ramesh Haldar (47), resident of Vardhman district, Kolkata, while two women forced into flesh trade were rescued. Police seized a total of ₹16,520 in cash from the spot as part of the evidence.

The investigation revealed that the accused, along with others, lured women with promises of higher payments and forced them into prostitution for financial gain.

Cops have arrested Ranjit Ramesh Haldar, Manager, Icon Spa and Salon, while accused Gaurang Santosh Biswas, Owner, Icon Spa and Salon and Jagdish Patil, Manager, Icon Spa and Salon currently absconding.

A case has been registered against the accused under Sections 143(2), 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) along with Sections 3, 4, 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.

The operation was carried out under the directives of Commissioner of Police Dr. Ravindra Kumar Singal, with guidance from Joint CP Navinchandra Reddy, Additional CP (Crime) Vasant Pardeshi, DCP (Crime) Rahul Makanikar and ACP (Crime) Abhijit Patil. The team led by PI Rahul Shire included PSI Shivaji Nanavare, constables Lata Gawai, Aarti Chavan, Prakash Mathankar, Kishor Thakre, Kunal Bodkhe and driver Kamlesh Kshirsagar.

Police confirmed that further investigation is underway to trace the absconding accused.