An alleged sex racket operating out of a hotel near the railway station and a house in Shantipada was busted after Balangir Superintendent of Police Abhilash G personally led coordinated raids across the town.
Police said 10 people, including alleged kingpin Geetanjali Bag (37), have been arrested and forwarded to court. Several women were rescued and placed under protective arrangements.
The breakthrough began with a far more disturbing complaint. A minor girl from neighbouring Baragada district was allegedly forced into sexual exploitation. After a medical examination showed she was about seven months pregnant, the SP ordered a sweep of suspected locations in Balangir. Two cases were registered at Adarsha police station and Laxmijora police station under Sections 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956. Bag is also named in Town police station Case No. 367/2026, police said at a press conference at the district police headquarters.
Hotel raid near the railway station
At Hotel Ed Regency near Railway Station Square, officers raided Rooms 103 and 106. Six people were taken into custody from the spot:
– Geetanjali Bag, 37, the kingpin
– Shahabaz Abdullah, 34, of College Square, Balangir
– Nabaghan Suna, 44, of Tusura police station limits
– Sudarshan Behera, 43, of Deogaon
– Suresh Beria, 24, of Shantipada
– Jagamohan Beria, 34, of Laltikra
Police said they seized mobile phones, contraceptives, other articles and Rs 3,100 in cash. Seven women found at the hotel were rescued.
Adarsha police station registered Case No. 411/2026 in connection with this raid.
Second raid at Shantipada Alok Nagar
A separate raid was carried out at a house in Shantipada Alok Nagar under Laxmijora police station. Three men and two women were detained there. Those named among the arrested include Ashish Kumbhar, Srikant Suna, Amulya Mallick and Swarnalata Mallick. Police recovered a Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle, mobile phones and other incriminating material. Two women were rescued from the premises, and arrangements were made for their social security and protection. Laxmijora police station registered Case No. 167/2026.
What police say happened
According to the district police, the network allegedly arranged women at hotels and private houses in Balangir. Investigators have linked Bag to the Baragada minor’s exploitation and pregnancy.
Police are examining how long the racket ran, how the women were brought to Balangir, and whether more hotel staff or clients are involved.
All those arrested have been produced in court. Further interrogation is under way.
Police have not released the minor survivor’s identity. Child-protection protocols, including medical care and shelter, apply in cases involving minors under Indian law.
