The Goa Crime Branch conducted an anti-human trafficking operation in the early hours of July 2, rescuing a woman allegedly being exploited for prostitution and arresting one accused near Palmirna Resort in Calangute, Bardez.
The raid was carried out between 2.06 a.m. and 4 a.m. as part of the Crime Branch’s ongoing crackdown on human trafficking and prostitution rackets. The operation was conducted under the direct supervision of Superintendent of Police (Crime Branch) Jivba Dalvi.
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According to the police, the team acted on specific intelligence and executed a planned operation that led to the rescue of the victim.
The accused, identified as Punna Hari Prasad (33), currently residing at Tambodki in Arpora and originally from Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district in Telangana, was allegedly caught while arriving on a black Fascino scooter (registration GA-07-AR-0515) to transport the woman to prospective customers for the purpose of prostitution.
Based on a complaint filed by Police Inspector Vikas Deykar, the Crime Branch Police Station registered Crime No. 66/2026 under Sections 143, 143(1), and 143(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with Sections 4, 5, and 7 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.
Police said the accused has been arrested, and further investigation is underway to determine whether others were involved in the alleged trafficking network.
The operation was led by PI Vikas Deykar under the supervision of SP Jivba Dalvi, with the assistance of PI Tushar Lotlikar, PI Mahesh Gadekar, ASI Ashok Gawde, constables Vishal Naik, Kalpesh Toraskar, Roshni Shirodkar, Sejal Dalvi, and Sneha Chari of NGO ARZ, which assisted in the rescue operation.
