The Crime Branch has intensified its investigation into a prostitution racket operating through an escort website by summoning three taxi drivers from North Goa for questioning. The drivers – Imam Sutar of Paliem, Bardez, Umesh Bagli of Resi Mangos, Betim, and Zeeshan Ali Sheikh of Marod, Mapusa – are being interrogated for their possible involvement in transporting individuals and victims connected to the racket. All three have joined the investigation due to their links with the accused.
Earlier, the Crime Branch arrested four individuals in connection with the case: Syed Usman (54) from Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, Mohammad Mohebbulla (30) from Gurgaon, Yogesh Kumar (42) from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, and Subash Pradhan from Orissa, residing in Nerul. They have been booked under FIR No. 117/2024 for violating Sections 67 and 67-A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, Section 6 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, and Sections 4 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.
The accused operated a website featuring obscene images of women and provided contact details to facilitate transactions. Once customers confirmed their interest, the accused coordinated with agents to arrange meetings, with payments made via cash, Google Pay, or Paytm. Investigators have also discovered that taxi drivers received commissions for knowingly transporting women to clients, thus aiding in the illegal operation.
The investigation is being led by PI Tushar Lotlikar, under the supervision of Dy. SP Rajesh Kumar and SP (Crime Branch) Rahul Gupta, IPS. Further developments are expected as the probe continues.
