A police raid at a luxury resort in Uttarakhand's Ramnagar, the gateway to Corbett National Park, has uncovered an alleged high-profile sex racket. The action has once again raised concerns about illegal activities allegedly being carried out under the cover of tourism in the region.
In a joint operation, teams from the Anti Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), Special Operations Group (SOG) and Ramnagar Police raided the resort. They apprehended 52 individuals and rescued 10 women, including a minor. The resort has been sealed, and police have launched a detailed inquiry into the incident.
Police said they acted on specific information that the resort was being used to run an organised prostitution racket. According to investigators, women had allegedly been brought from different states as well as from abroad. When the raid was carried out, a liquor party was reportedly in progress. Police alleged that women were being made to perform obscene dances while guests threw money at them. Officers also recovered objectionable material and other items from the resort.
During the investigation, police identified the alleged organiser as Umendra Kumar, a businessman from Meerut. According to officials, he told investigators that he had booked the resort for July 4 and 5 for about Rs 2.20 lakh to host an entertainment programme for people linked with his pesticide manufacturing business. Police alleged that each woman was to be paid around Rs 10,000 for the event.
Investigators also alleged that an attempt was made to hide evidence. Police said the resort's general manager instructed employees not to enter the names of guests or the women attending the event in the visitor register. Treating it as a serious violation, police sealed the resort.
A case has been lodged against the accused under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Excise Act and the Juvenile Justice Act. Further investigation is underway.
The incident has also prompted questions about whether similar illegal activities may be operating at other tourist properties in the region. With tourist footfall increasing in Ramnagar, Corbett, Bhimtal, Mukteshwar and other parts of Nainital district, authorities are expected to step up inspections and verification drives at resorts, hotels and homestays.
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