Goa Police Uncover Major Inter-State Prostitution Scheme; Three Arrested and 22 Escort Websites Shut Down
Synopsis
In a landmark operation, the Goa Crime Branch has successfully dismantled an inter-state prostitution racket, resulting in three arrests and the blocking of 22 escort websites. This initiative highlights the ongoing battle against digital crimes and the commitment of law enforcement to protect vulnerable individuals.
Key Takeaways
Goa Crime Branch has dismantled a major inter-state prostitution racket.
Three suspects have been arrested during this operation.
22 illicit escort websites have been blocked.
The operation involved cooperation with the Social Media Monitoring Cell .
Investigations revealed a broader network operating across multiple cities.
Panaji, March 19 (NationPress) In a significant development in the fight against digital offenses, the Goa Crime Branch has dismantled an inter-state prostitution operation, apprehending three individuals linked to the creation and management of websites that disseminate sexually explicit and inappropriate material, as confirmed by police on Thursday.
This operation, spearheaded by the Crime Branch in collaboration with the Social Media Monitoring Cell, culminated in the blocking of 22 illicit escort websites.
Following extensive surveillance, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed on March 9 under Section 67 of the IT Act and Section 6 of the Indecent Representation of Women’s Act.
Superintendent of Police (Crime/Cyber Crime) Rahul Gupta stated that technical investigations pinpointed a suspect, Narayan Rao, originally from Shivamogga, Karnataka, as the chief operator. Raids executed in Nerul and Bardez in Goa on the morning of March 14 resulted in the arrest of three individuals.
The detained suspects have been identified as the alleged mastermind, V. Narayan Rao (40), Shahbaz Khan (33) from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, and Manjunath Shahshetty (36) from Bidar, Karnataka.
During the operation, authorities seized a laptop and five mobile phones, including one directly connected to the illicit website.
An examination of the suspects' bank accounts uncovered a series of transactions made through Google Pay and UPI by victims.
"It was confirmed that the accused were relying on income from prostitution," stated SP Gupta.
As a result, Section 4 of the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act (ITPA) has been integrated into the charges. Interrogation of the suspects indicated that Rao’s network extended well beyond Goa, with operations active in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Jaipur, and Delhi. Authorities have already frozen a bank account belonging to the main suspect containing Rs 2.34 lakh.
The ongoing investigation, supervised by SP Jivba Dalvi and SP Gupta, aims to identify additional victims and trace the full scope of the syndicate's financial dealings.
The suspects have been remanded to three days of police custody for further interrogation to uncover more details about the gang and its operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main outcome of the Goa Crime Branch operation?
The operation resulted in the arrest of three individuals and the blocking of 22 escort websites linked to an inter-state prostitution racket.
Who were the primary suspects arrested?
The arrested suspects include the alleged mastermind V. Narayan Rao and two accomplices, Shahbaz Khan and Manjunath Shahshetty.
What laws were invoked in this case?
The case involves violations of the IT Act, the Indecent Representation of Women’s Act, and the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act (ITPA).
What steps are being taken to further investigate this racket?
Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify additional victims and trace the financial operations of the syndicate.
How did the police gather evidence against the suspects?
The police conducted technical investigations and surveillance, which led to the identification of suspects and the seizure of devices linked to the illegal activities.
