Pune Crime: 9 Women Rescued, Two Arrested In Anti-Trafficking Raid Near Navale Bridge
Pune Crime: 9 Women Rescued, Two Arrested In Anti-Trafficking Raid Near Navale Bridge
Pune, July 22, 2026: The Pune Police Crime Branch’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) has busted an alleged prostitution racket operating near the Navale Bridge area in Ambegaon Budruk, rescuing nine women and arresting two accused during a raid conducted on July 20.
The operation was carried out at Sai Kiran Lodge, located near Burger King in Ambegaon Budruk, following specific intelligence that women were being forced into prostitution at the premises. Acting under the guidance of Police Inspector Ashalata Khapre, the AHTU team first verified the information using a decoy customer before conducting the raid.
During the operation, police rescued nine women who were allegedly brought to the lodges for prostitution. The accused have been identified as Rakesh Raju Patole (27), an autorickshaw driver from Ganesh Nagar, Dhayari, and Mangesh Vyankat Bansode, manager of Galaxy Lodge and a native of Dharashiv district. Both have been arrested in connection with the case.
The raid was conducted at Sai Kiran Lodge and Galaxy Lodge by the Crime Branch’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit under the supervision of senior officer Gauhar Hasan. The operation was led by Police Inspector Ashalata Khapre and Assistant Police Inspector Vikram Misal.
Residents of the Navale Bridge and Ambegaon area had repeatedly complained about open solicitation in the locality, alleging that women, girls, and transgender persons were frequently seen soliciting on roadsides, causing inconvenience to the public. Locals claimed that despite multiple complaints to the local police over the past several months, no effective action had been taken until the Crime Branch intervened.
Police have registered a case and further investigation is underway.
