Positive cases of COVID-19 infections are rising day by day. Though, the Unlock 1.0 announced but no relaxation has been given to hotels, lodges or dormitories. However, lodges in Mira Bhayandar are running their business despite the ban. Thane Rural Police raided three such lodges in two days under the guidance of Dr Shivaji Rathod, Superintendent of Police.
A complaint about the lodges opened on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway (NH8) near Kashimira was received directly by the Thane Rural’s Superintendent of Police Dr Shivaji Rathod. The action was taken against the Samadhan Lodging and Boarding under the SP guidance. They raided the lodge on Wednesday late night. A case has been registered against the manager, owner along with the couple in the lodge. The local police and the Municipal Corporation Officers have turned a blind eye to this open menace.
Mira Bhayandar is always in the shadow of notoriety due to its unethical business of running orchestra bars and lodges. Though, most of the constructions of these lodges are unauthorized, the Municipal Corporation does not take concrete action against them. Even the peoples’ representative turns a blind eye to this. Although the twin-city is not a tourist destination, lodges can be found blossoming here. The Dahisar Checknaka – Ghodbunder Junction highway belt is full of lodges and orchestra bars. Nonetheless, the lodges were not yet allowed to start due to coronavirus infection, there were complaints that the lodges are functioning in full action. According to sources, illegal prostitution rackets are also running in the lodges. On-demand, girls are being provided.
Superintendent of Police, Dr Shivaji Rathod received information about the illegal functioning of these lodges. He raided the Samadhan lodges with his squad without informing the local Kashimira Police or Anti-Human Trafficking Prevention unit.
Case registered
At the time of raid, the lodge was open and a couple was found inside. A case has been registered against Ajit Sonar –the owner and manager of Samadhan Lodge along with the couple present there at Kashimira Police Station under various section of Disaster Management Act and IPC.
Two other bars raided
After SP’s strict warning, Kashimira Police and Anti-Human Trafficking Prevention unit jointly took action against Sona Lodging & Boarding at Mira Gaothan and Anuha Lodging at Ghodbunder Road in Kashimira area for illegally operating on Thursday.
As per the order of Additional Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kumar Patil, teams of Kashimira Police Inspector Sanjay Hazare and Devidas Handore of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit raided the lodges on Thursday night. Police booked Sona’s manager Sudhir Pujari (33), waiter Santoshkumar Gautam (24) and Anuha Lodging Boarding’s Ankush Jayakaran Yadav (32) along with the couple found there. As usual, owners of both the lodging and boarding are absconding and police are searching for the accused.
Although, sources revealed that both the lodges are built on government land. It is also alleged that the corporation and the revenue department are deliberately turning a blind eye to it.
However, the owner, manager, waiters and couples were booked by the Kashimira police for violating the provisions under sections 188, 269, 270, 271, 272 and 394 of the IPC. An offence has been also been registered under section 51 (B) of Covid-19 Provisional Act, 2020.
