Saraspur guesthouse had sex workers, say police

AHMEDABAD: The public outcry against a guest house fanning illegal activities which culminated in rioting on Sunday was rooted in facts.
After being in denial mode on the day of incident, the police officials have to now deal with evidence that proves that the guesthouse was indeed doubling up as a brothel as well as a means to run illegal activities.People who stay in nearby housing societies claim that the guest house was used as a means to sell illicit liquor and gamble.
"We had registered two complaints - one for the rioting against the mob and another against Mahendra Thakor, the owner, for firing and threatening the public. In connection with the rioting case we have arrested Rafiq Ismail Teli, his brother Shafi, Ismail Maniyar and five others. And, for illegal activities at the guest house Thakor and his three employees have been arrested. Among them is a sex worker who was present at the spot when the incident took place," said V M Sharma, inspector of Gomtipur police station.
Right now, Gomtipur police officials are probing the incident that took place outside the guest house. A mob had attacked the guesthouse and eye-witnesses said that Mahendra Thakor had fired from his revolver.
The incident took place in the afternoon after residents saw some sex workers enter the guest house. Due to earlier altercations with frequent visitors at the guest house, local residents were angry and had asked Thakor to stop these activities. Three vehicles parked outside the guest house were torched and a portion of the building too was set on fire. The angry mob also pelted stones, and several policemen were injured.
JN Parmar, assistant commissioner of police, H Division, told TOI that the situation at Chartoda cemetery is under control after the disturbing incident on Sunday afternoon. "However, as precaution, we have kept the deployment intact so as to prevent any violence at the guest house or in the vicinity," he said. City police have posted a company of SRP and more than 100 city police personnel at Chartoda cemetery and nearby areas to keep a vigil and prevent any untoward incident. As for taking action against the guest house owner, Parmar said, "After the investigation, action will be taken against Thakor for getting sex workers to his guesthouse."