07 July,2026 12:20 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
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Police have invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against nine people, including seven women, for allegedly operating a prostitution racket near Kalyan railway station in Thane district, officials said.
According to police, the action was taken after investigators found that the accused had allegedly formed an organised crime syndicate and were involved in exploiting women for financial gain.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Kalyan) Ashok Honmane said the investigation revealed the organised nature of the alleged operation.
Officials said the nine accused were arrested for allegedly conspiring to force 20 women into prostitution by offering them money and exploiting their circumstances.
Police said the accused were allegedly running the racket in a systematic manner near the busy railway station area.
The investigation focused on identifying those involved in managing the network and the methods used to bring women into the racket.
A case was initially registered at Mahatma Phule Chowk police station in Kalyan on February 21 this year.
The accused were booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.
During the investigation, police collected evidence regarding the alleged involvement of the accused in organised criminal activities. Based on these findings, authorities decided to invoke provisions of MCOCA.
Officials said the accused were already lodged in Kalyan District Jail in connection with the case.
After receiving permission from a local court, police re-arrested the accused on June 30 under the provisions of MCOCA.
Police said further investigation is underway to examine the extent of the alleged network and identify whether more people were involved in the operation.
Authorities added that action under MCOCA was initiated due to the organised nature of the alleged crime and the evidence gathered during the probe.
In another case, the police have arrested three women for allegedly stealing copper cables valued at more than Rs 1 lakh from an industrial construction site in Maharashtra''s Palghar district, officials said on Tuesday.
The incident occurred on the intervening night of June 18-19 in the Vasai area, where construction of a power house was underway.
(With inputs from PTI)
