Mumbai Police’s anti-trafficking unit delivered justice in Andheri East, busting a multinational sex racket at Hotel Villa Palace and saving two Ugandan women from horror. Intelligence-led action on AK Road followed reports of illicit operations, leading to harrowing discoveries during the raid.
Promised jobs turned into bondage for the 30- and 36-year-old women, who faced coercion into prostitution post-arrival. Jasmine, a Kenyan national, emerged as the linchpin, managing recruitment, hotel confinement, and client servicing with iron-fisted oversight.
Four employees faced cuffs: Vivekkumar Yadav (manager, 26), Anil Pushpkar (24), Dhiraj Jawale (35), and veteran staffer Mahesh Rajveria (45). Fugitives include owner Akshay Shedge and Jasmine; CCTV seizures bolster the pursuit.
The probe revealed systemic non-compliance—unrecorded guests, unsubmitted C-forms, and fabricated registers hiding victim identities. Such malpractices facilitated the crime.
Beyond this hotel, a vast human smuggling empire may lurk, prompting wider inquiries. ‘Expect more revelations as we peel back layers,’ said a lead investigator. This bust highlights vulnerabilities in migrant worker influxes, calling for robust policy reforms and cross-border alliances to eradicate trafficking.