By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
Nainital: The Nainital Police has busted one of the biggest high-profile sex rackets in Uttarakhand by arresting 51 people and taking one juvenile into protective custody.
Ten women, including a minor, were rescued after the police raids at a private resort in Ramnagar area in Nainital district. The resort has been sealed.
The raid was conducted on the night of July 4 by a joint team of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), Special Operations Group (SOG) and Ramnagar Police on the directions of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nainital Dr Manjunath T.C.
Acting on a tip-off, the police raided the resort and allegedly found those present engaged in prostitution, liquor and drug-fuelled parties, obscene dance performances and other indecent activities.
Cases have been registered against the accused under Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Sections 3, 5 and 6 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, relevant provisions of the POCSO Act, the Excise Act and the Juvenile Justice Act.
During interrogation, the alleged main organiser, Umendra Kumar of Meerut, told investigators that he had arranged the party for the entertainment of associates linked to his pesticide manufacturing business. Police said the resort had been booked from July 4 to 5 for about ₹2.20 lakh, while women were allegedly arranged at ₹10,000 per person.
Investigators also found that the resort’s general manager, Lakhendra Chaudhary, had allegedly instructed staff not to record the names of guests or women in the visitors’ register in an attempt to conceal evidence. He is currently absconding.
The police seized four cartons of liquor, 24 bundles of imitation ₹10 currency notes allegedly used for showering on dancers, mobile phones, a laptop, objectionable material and the music system used during the dance performances. Efforts are underway to arrest the absconding accused and unravel the entire network behind the racket.