Thane Prostitution Racket Busted: Actress Held as Mastermind, Two TV Actresses Rescued

Thane, Maharashtra: In a major crackdown, the Maharashtra Police busted a prostitution racket in Thane and arrested a 41-year-old actress alleged to be the mastermind. The accused, identified as Anushka Moni Mohan Das, has been charged with luring aspiring actresses into the illegal trade under the guise of offering acting opportunities.

How the Racket Was Busted

According to officials, the police acted on a tip-off and sent two decoys posing as customers. Das allegedly asked them to meet at a mall on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Highway in Kashimira on Wednesday. The police team, led by the Mira-Bhayander Vasai-Virar unit, raided the premises and caught the accused red-handed while she was accepting money.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Madan Ballal told PTI that two women, active in Bengali cinema and Hindi television serials, were rescued during the operation.

Charges Filed

The accused has been booked under Section 143(3) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), relating to human trafficking, as well as relevant provisions of the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA). The rescued women have been moved to a government shelter home.

ACP Ballal confirmed that investigations are underway to determine the full extent of the racket and whether more individuals are involved.

Parallel Case: TV Actor Ashish Kapoor Arrested

In a separate case, television actor Ashish Kapoor was detained by Delhi Police from Pune after a woman accused him of sexual assault at a party in the capital.

The complainant alleged that Kapoor assaulted her in a washroom during a party in August. Initially, the FIR also named Kapoor’s friend, his wife, and two unidentified persons. However, the woman later revised her statement, claiming that only Kapoor was directly involved.

She further alleged that the incident was filmed. Acting on the complaint, police took Kapoor into custody and are currently investigating the case.

What’s Next?

Both incidents highlight the need for stricter vigilance and awareness against exploitation in the entertainment industry. While the Thane police are probing the prostitution racket, Delhi Police will continue its investigation into the allegations against Kapoor.