Nagpur: A sex racket operating out of a hotel in the Wanadongri area was busted following a raid by the Social Security Branch (SSB) and Crime Branch. Three women brought from Ludhiana and Gorakhpur were rescued, while the hotel manager was arrested. Police are currently searching for the hotel owner and two associates.
The arrested accused has been identified as Nikhil Neelkanth Sonawane (27), a resident of Bheemnagar, Chandur Railway in Amravati district. The absconding accused include Yogesh Kailas Thakre (38), his brother Harshal Kailas Thakre (38), and their business partner Santosh Ganpat Bisen (32), all residents of Amarnagar, Wanadongri.
According to the Crime Branch, the Thakre brothers operate Hotel MH-40 in Wanadongri. Sonawane managed day-to-day operations, while Bisen was a business partner. Police had received specific inputs that women were being brought to the hotel and supplied to selected customers.
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Feb 10th, 2026 - Time 11.45Hrs
Acting on the tip-off, the Crime Branch deployed a decoy customer under the guidance of PI Dilip Chandan. Sonawane allegedly agreed to provide a woman for ₹2,500. As soon as the money was accepted, the police team conducted a raid and took the manager into custody.
During the operation, three women were rescued. Investigators said the women had arrived in Nagpur about a week earlier and were being housed at the hotel. The accused reportedly charged customers ₹2,500 per service, keeping ₹1,500 for themselves and paying ₹1,000 to the women.
Police seized items worth approximately ₹3.41 lakh, including a car, mobile phones, and cash. Officials believe the illegal activity had been running for some time.
A case has been registered under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (PITA), and further investigation is underway. Efforts are on to trace the absconding accused. The action was carried out under the supervision of DCP Rahul Maknikar, with PI Dilip Chandan and a Crime Branch team comprising Aarti Chavan, Sheshrao Raut, and Kunal Masram.
