Nagpur: The Crime Branch Unit 5 of Nagpur Police busted a sex racket operating under the guise of a lodge at Sher-e-Punjab Restaurant and Lodging, located on Bhandara Road, Pardi, on Friday evening. The action was carried out as part of the ongoing “Operation Shakti” aimed at eliminating human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation networks in the city.
The raid was conducted between 4:30 pm and 9:00 pm on October 10, 2025, following a tip-off that prostitution activities were being conducted at the establishment. Police Constable Rupesh Nanawatkar (Buckle No. 4965) from Crime Branch Unit 5 lodged a complaint at Pardi Police Station, leading to the registration of an offence under Sections 143(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3, 4, 5, and 7 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.
The arrested accused have been identified as:
- Sameeksha Sanjay Shende (38), resident of Air Force Nagar, Hazari Pahad, Nagpur.
- Manjeet Ajitsingh Bhatia (60), resident of Deshpande Layout, Vardhaman Nagar, Nagpur.
- Suredarsing Jaswantsing Bhatia (72), resident of Sher-e-Punjab Hotel, Pardi, originally from Shahda Gate Chowk, Jalandhar, Punjab.
- Shailendra Govindsing Shengar (37), resident of Gangabag near Bhawani Hospital, Pardi, originally from Amwa, Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh.
Police said the accused lured women into prostitution by promising quick financial gains. During the operation, one woman was rescued from the premises.
A total of ₹66,310 worth of material was seized from the spot, including:
- Four mobile phones worth ₹40,000,
- ₹2,500 used during the decoy operation,
- ₹22,515 recovered during the raid,
- One DVR worth ₹3,000,
- One register worth ₹500,
- One used condom and 85 assorted condom packets of various brands.
Following the medical examination of the accused and the rescued woman, all were handed over to Pardi Police Station for further investigation.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Police Inspector Sandeep Buwa, Unit 5, Crime Branch, Nagpur City.
