actor and model rescued from sex trade

The Social Service Branch (SSB) of Mumbai police has busted a high-profile prostitution racket in Andheri and rescued an aspiring actress and two models from the spot. The officials have also arrested a woman and her son who were allegedly operating the racket.

After a tip-off, the SSB and a special team from Oshiwara police station sent a bogus customer to Pataliputra housing society, Andheri (West), early on Thursday morning. The society, promoted by top IAS and IPS officers, was recently in the middle of a controversy for grave construction irregularities.

On receiving the information, the police team laid a trap and picked up the four women and the man from a flat in the society. During the verification process, police learnt that one of the women is an actor. She told cops that she has acted in television serials Tarak Mehta Ka Ultah Chashma and CID.

She got involved in the racket as she was in need of money, police said. The second woman is a model and the third is their friend. Police have also arrested 52-year-old Neeta Parikh 52 and her son Bhavin (30), who were allegedly running this racket. They have been booked under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA).

“We have sent the victims to the Mahila Sudhar Griha in Mankhurd. One of the victims has acted in two popular serials,” said Sanjay More, assistant inspector, Oshiwara police station.