PANAJI
The Crime Branch (CB) sleuths interrogated three taxi drivers operating in North Goa in connection with an escort website-based prostitution racket.
CB SP Rahul Gupta stated the trio’s links with the accused, arrested in the case, were established prompting their questioning.
As part of the investigation, the team is reviewing taxi ride records and questioning drivers who may have transported persons including female victims involved in the prostitution ring. “The drivers, Imam Sutar from Paliem; Umesh Bagli from Reis Magos and Zeeshan Ali Sheikh from Marod are being questioned about their possible involvement or knowledge of the illegal activities. All three joined the investigation as they were connected to the accused operating the prostitution racket in Goa,” Gupta said.
The CB had earlier arrested Syed Usman, 54, of Chittoor (Andhra Pradesh); Mohammad Mohebbulla, 30, of Gurgaon (Haryana); Yogesh Kumar, 42, of Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh); and Subash Pradhan of Odisha, who was residing in rented accommodation in Nerul under Sections 67 and 67-A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, Section 6 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, and Sections 4 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.
Investigations revealed that the arrested accused facilitated these services by negotiating deals with customers making online or cash payments. The accused earned commissions for their involvement. Taxi drivers also reportedly received commissions for dropping women to the customers “knowingly that they are aiding prostitution.” So far, 78 such websites have been blocked.
