9 women rescued, lodge manager held in anti-trafficking raid near Navale Bridge

Pune City Crime Branch AHTU rescued nine women from Sai Kiran Lodge and Galaxy Lodge in Ambegaon Budruk near Navale Bridge.

Two men were arrested: Rakesh Raju Patole, an autorickshaw driver who acted as facilitator, and Mangesh Vyankat Bansode, manager of Galaxy Lodge.

Raids were conducted on July 20, 2026, based on a tip-off and verified via a decoy customer.

An FIR was registered under Sections 143(1) and 143(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 4 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.

Rescued women were produced before authorities for rehabilitation and counselling; investigation continues for a larger trafficking network.