A wanted brothel keeper exploits two intellectually disabled women.

Social Worker (left) with rescued women

In the middle of July 2025, we received intel about two women who were being sexually exploited in the red light area in Wani. Both the victims were intellectually disabled which made them easy targets for the brothel keeper. It took us some time to verify all the intel we had; one victim was from Rajasthan and the other one was from Jalgaon, Maharashtra. We discovered that Lata the 45 year old female brothel keeper had multiple criminal cases filed against her and had been granted bail a few times. Lata was influential in the area and known for her notoriety.

On the 8th of August we went to meet the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Nagpur. On reaching his office, we learnt that both the SP and the Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) were busy with official work.  We waited right until 4:30 pm. When their meeting was over, the SP informed us he had another meeting and directed us to the ASP.  We presented the ASP with the information we had on both the victims, emphasizing the brothel keeper’s criminal record and how she was taking advantage of the victims’ mental disabilities. The ASP agreed to initiate a raid and connected us to the Sub-Divisional Officer of Police who would be providing support for the raid. 

The next day we were at the police station and together discussed rescue strategies.

On the 9th of August 2025 at 4 pm, the police and our team raided the brothel in the red light area in Wani and the two victims were rescued.  After the police collected incriminating evidence from the brothel and completed their initial reports, we left for the police station.  At the police station, the police got the details from both the victims and completed filing the First Information Report. They included sections of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

We accompanied the victims for their medical check up and to the shelter home. The next morning both victims were taken to Yawatmal District for further medical tests. 

Lata, the brothel keeper, was produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class.  The magistrate passed the order for Lata to continue to be in police custody. We are so thankful these women are now safe and that Lata is behind bars where she can no longer exploit other women.