Police busted a flesh trade racket at Prabhu Nagar on the Belgaum-Goa National Highway in Khanapur on Saturday evening. Eight people, including four women were arrested in a raid at a house in the area.
The arrested have been identified as Arun Balawant Pote (51) of Chavat Galli, Belgaum, Umesh Gurulingaiah Charantimath (36) of Boxite Road, Belgaum, autorickshaw driver Nigappa Durgappa Talawar (29) of Huddihal village in Belgaum taluk, watchman Basappa Demappa Lokhande (50) of Tirthakundye and four women. According to sources, the house belongs to Sanjay Tenginkai, an accused in a cheating case. The house was seized by the government in connection with the same case. Varghese, president of Indian Rescue Mission, an NGO, and his associates who kept a vigil on activities at the house for the past one month, informed senior police officials about the illegal trade.
Police Inspector Mahanteshwar Rao and team raided the house and nabbed the accused red-handed.According to sources, Charantimath and a 35-year-old woman, who was among the arrested, are the key operators and forced several innocent women into the flesh trade. Police suspect that the gang is also engaged in shooting pornographic films in the house.