Mumbai Police Invoke MCOCA In Sex Trafficking Case Under PITA For First Time; Key Accused Ran Brothel Syndicate From Grant Road

Mumbai: In a first-of-its-kind move, the Mumbai Police have invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in a case under the Prevention of Immoral Traffic Act (PITA). The action was taken in connection with a sex trafficking racket being operated from the first floor of Manik Building on Tribhuvan Road, Grant Road.

The case was registered at Dr. D. B. Marg Police Station on June 20 following a tip-off about an illegal brothel operating at the premises. It was initially booked under BNS Sections 143(3), 144(2), 115(2), 126(2), and 140(3), along with Sections 3(4), 5, and 7(1)(b) of PITA.

Organised Racket Busted in Manik Building

During the raid, the police arrested two women — Lata Krishnan Nair (49) and Kamlesh Muneshwar Yadav (34). A third accused, Harish Raje Gowda (33), is currently absconding. Three women forced into prostitution were rescued from the location.

Mastermind Lata Krishnan Nair Trapped Victims With Job Promises

According to the investigation, Lata Krishnan Nair is the alleged mastermind behind the racket. Police said she formed an organized syndicate and, with the help of Harish Gowda and Kamlesh Yadav, lured women from outside Mumbai with false promises of domestic work. Once brought to the Grant Road flat, the women were confined and forced into sex work. Those who resisted were reportedly beaten and kept under watch.

In light of the organized and repeat nature of the crimes, police invoked MCOCA Sections 3(1)(ii), 3(2), and 3(4) on July 10, 2025 — marking the first instance of this stringent anti-organised crime law being applied in a PITA-related case in Mumbai.

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ACP-Led Probe Seeks Absconding Accused & Wider Network

The investigation is being led by an officer of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) rank. Authorities are now working to identify and apprehend additional members of the syndicate.