Athani Rural Police have arrested a man in connection with an alleged prostitution racket operating from Shivashakti Lodge on the Athani-Raibag Road in Belagavi district. Police rescued a woman allegedly being used for prostitution activities at the lodge during the operation, they said.
According to police, the operation was conducted on October 3 after Athani Circle Inspector Santosh D. Hallur received information about illegal activities at the lodge. Based on the information, a police team conducted a raid at Shivashakti Lodge. Belagavi Superintendent of Police K. Ramrajan, Additional Superintendent of Police R.B. Basargi and Deputy Superintendent of Police Prashanth G. Munnolli were in charge of the operation.
During the raid, officers found a woman who was allegedly kept at the lodge for prostitution-related activities and rescued her, putting her in police custody. The raid also led to the arrest of Mallappa Dileep Kamble, a resident of Aratal village in Athani taluk, who was taken into custody for further legal action in connection with the matter.
Police have also alleged that other people were involved in facilitating the activities at the lodge. Rahul Maddy, the manager of the lodge in Athani, and Ganesh Sankapal of Gundewadi were involved in arranging accommodation for the woman and facilitating prostitution-related activities. Their involvement is also being investigated as part of the investigation.
The police action shows how law enforcement actions are continuing to work in Karnataka to identify and crack down on illegal business locations. Lodges and hotels can be questioned if authorities receive information about illegal activity on their premises. If police are given the necessary information to do so, they usually conduct checks and raids and launch legal action if evidence is found.
The raid was conducted by a team composed of Athani Circle Inspector Santosh D. Hallur, Head Constable B.R. Patil, police constables Y.M. Meti and G.P. Rathod, and woman police constable S.B. Khot. Panch witnesses and a representative of the Women and Child Welfare Department, an anganwadi worker, were also present during the operation, police said.
The Women and Child Welfare Department is especially helpful in cases when a woman is rescued from what is alleged to be a trafficking or prostitution situation. The safety, dignity, and rehabilitation of those who may be exploited can come up in these cases. Legal and welfare procedures are to be followed in recording statements and determining the circumstances under which the woman came to be at the lodge.
The police are now investigating the alleged network and the individuals named in the case. We expect more information to emerge as the investigation continues and statements are made. Based on the evidence gathered during the raid, the authorities will also decide the right legal provisions applicable to the accused.
The case has been of interest in Athani and the surrounding area because the alleged activity was reportedly taking place at a lodge located along a busy road. Police have said credible information from the public will assist them in identifying those establishments that are suspected to be engaged in criminal activities.
The rescued woman’s identity has not been disclosed, as the privacy and dignity of individuals involved in sensitive cases are important. The accused has been transferred to court, and the police are still investigating the prostitution racket and other suspects.
