Nagpur: The Social Security Branch of the Nagpur Crime Branch, along with the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), rescued three women during a raid on a panchakarma and spa centre in Kotwal Nagar on Monday. Two persons have been booked for allegedly forcing women into prostitution by luring them with promises of earning large sums of money in a short period.

According to the police, the raid was conducted at Avira Panchakarma and Spa, located at Flat No. 200, Kanta Palace, Kotwal Nagar, under the jurisdiction of Rana Pratap Nagar police station, between 4.25 pm and 8.55 pm on October 12.

The police said the accused allegedly used the cover of a panchakarma and spa massage centre to run a sex trade for financial gain. They allegedly lured the victims with promises of quick money, arranged customers for them and forced them into prostitution.

Acting on the information, the Social Security Branch and AHTU team conducted a raid in the presence of two panch witnesses and a decoy customer. Three women were rescued from the premises.

The accused have been identified as Yogesh Ashokrao Ingole, 35, a resident of Geeta Nagar, Manewada-Besa, and Supriya Raju Rayakwar, 35, a resident of Bhupesh Nagar, Borgaon.

Rana Pratap Nagar police registered a case under Sections 143(2) and 143(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.

Further investigation is underway.