A major human trafficking and prostitution racket operating under the guise of a dance academy was busted in Maharashtra’s Solapur district, with 25 women rescued and five accused arrested, police officials confirmed.
The operation was carried out at Swaranjali Kala Kendra in Modnimb village (Madha taluka) through a coordinated effort between the Solapur police and NGO partners. Among those rescued was a woman from West Bengal. The victims have been shifted to a government-run Women’s Rehabilitation Home (Mahila Sudhargruh) in Solapur, and further investigation is underway.
According to police sources, the action was initiated following confidential intelligence inputs received on March 15. A decoy customer operation was subsequently conducted, leading to the raid and exposure of the alleged prostitution network. Authorities suspect that individuals linked to Swaranjali Kala Kendra and a nearby lodge were involved in trafficking women from different districts and states for sexual exploitation.
The operation was led by Additional Superintendent of Police Anjana Krishna, along with the Tembhurni Police Station team under IPS probationer Rahul Atram, and carried out under the supervision of Solapur Superintendent of Police Atul Kulkarni. The police team worked in close coordination with the Exodus Road India Foundation.
Reacting to the development, Harmony Foundation Founder-Chairman Dr. Abraham Mathai praised the police and NGO for their coordinated action. He said, “The operation as a strong example of intelligence-driven policing and emphasized the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and civil society organizations in tackling human trafficking. There are increased concerns over the misuse of cultural institutions as fronts for illegal activities, noting the increasingly sophisticated methods adopted by trafficking networks. He called for greater vigilance, awareness, and institutional coordination to combat such crimes.
Appreciating the broader role of law enforcement leadership, Mathai acknowledged the efforts of Maharashtra Director General of Police Sadanand Date, stating that strong leadership is crucial in enabling effective and timely action against organized crime.
He further commended the efforts of the Exodus Road India Foundation for its groundwork in developing actionable intelligence and assisting authorities in executing the operation.
Authorities have stated that investigations are ongoing to identify the full extent of the network and to trace other individuals involved in the racket.
