Pune City Police is set to seal 12 buildings in the Budhwar Peth area following a major crackdown on illegal activities, including prostitution, suspected presence of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and links to narcotics trade. The decision is being taken to curb illegal activity in the area following a large-scale combing operation carried out earlier this week.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Krushikesh Rawale (Zone 1), speaking to The Free Press Journal, said the final decision is yet to be taken. "Once it is finalised, quick action will be taken, and the buildings will be sealed. The decision is being taken after it came to light that the premises were being used for illegal activities, including the stay of illegal immigrants, narcotics," he added.
In a recent case in February, acting on directions from Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, police teams conducted a late-night search operation across the red-light area. During the operation, police inspected 41 buildings and verified the identities of 426 women and 290 men. In addition, strict checking was carried out at five checkpoints, where 32 vehicles and 459 individuals were examined. Officials said the extensive verification exercise was necessary to address long-standing concerns regarding illegal occupation and criminal activities in the locality.
Police also made a key arrest during the operation. A 31-year-old man, identified as Rameshwar Bibhishan Birajdar from Latur district, was apprehended near Bajirao Road. Authorities recovered seven grams of charas worth ₹3,500 along with three injections from his possession. A case has been registered at the Faraskhana Police Station under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
Rawale said the police have focused on identifying illegal immigrants and verifying residents without valid documents. Sealing of buildings will act as a strong deterrent and help dismantle networks facilitating illegal activities in Budhwar Peth, he added.
Is illegal immigration a challenge for the police?
Official data revealed that 269 immigrants have been deported from Pune over the past three years, raising serious concerns about security lapses. The deportees include 80 individuals from Bangladesh, 13 from Nigeria, 16 from Afghanistan, 12 from Yemen and 148 from other countries.
