The Guwahati police in Assam has busted a prostitution racket, which provided escort services in Guwahati and other cities of the state.
Three persons have been arrested by the police in connection with the case. They have been identified as: Nayanmoni Patowary, Saneep Kumar @ Mukul Bhardwaj @ Bambam and Diya Sarmah @ Junaki Begum.
“The culprits used to communicate with the potential customers via social media or other online methods to fix the date, girls and rate,” the Guwahati Police said.
The Guwahati Police added: “The sex racket operated in Hotel Minerva, Panbazar or in one of the rooms rented by Mukul Bhardwaj @ Bambam @ Saneep Kumar in Jiyabharali Apartment.”
One of the accused – Nayanmoni Patowary, who works as a manager at the Hotel Minerva in Pan Bazar locality in Guwahati was picked up on August 5.
Upon interrogation of Nayanmoni Patowary, “startling facts came to light”.
Patowary revealed that Saneep Kumar @ Mukul Bhardwaj @ Bambam was the kingpin of the prostitution racket.
Interrogation also revealed that Mukul Bhardwaj was running the prostitution racket along with his wife – Diya Sarmah @ Junaki Begum.
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“The crime branch team apprehended Diya Sarmah @ Junaki Begum from Patharquari under Noonmati PS on 06/08/21. Mukul Bhardwaj was still at large and his exact whereabouts were not known. Even his wife claimed not to know his current whereabouts and address,” Guwahati Police further said.
The police added: “Technical analysis of mobile numbers used by the main kingpin Mukul Bharadwaj revealed several addresses ranging from Delhi to Bihar to Maharashtra. The team discovered the use of at least 10-15 mobile numbers by the accused.”
Mukul Bhardwaj was finally tracked down to Lakhisarai district of Bihar.
“A Crime Branch team dispatched to Lakhisarai and they were successful in nabbing the accused on 08/08/21 from there,” the police said.
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Preliminary on the spot technical analysis and questioning revealed that the said Mukul Bharadwaj could be operating similar prostitution rackets in various other places also.
The Guwahati Police said: “The accused is being brought to Guwahati and will be thoroughly questioned after reaching here to unearth all aspects of the criminal activity being indulged in by the gang.”