Demolition drive in Thane unearths 290 hidden rooms in a lodge used for flesh trade business

On the other side, police claimed that the lodge had 55-rooms, of which 17 were demolished during the anti-encroachment drive.

Thane, December 3: The workers of the Thane Municipal Corporation on Thursday were stunned when they found 290 hidden rooms in a lodge in Thane, outskirts of Mumbai which was used for flesh trade business. The Satyam lodge with 16-room near Upvan lake has been demolished, which also had 274 additional rooms in the three-storey basement. A probe has already begun in the matter.

A civic official on the condition of anonymity said, “After inspection, we started our procedure of demolition of the entire lodge ad found 290 rooms. All the rooms were strewn with cigarette butts, liquor bottles, condoms and drugs”.

On the other side, police claimed that the lodge had 55-rooms, of which 17 were demolished during the anti-encroachment drive.

The lodge was raided on Thursday which was the second day of the TMC’s drive against encroachments on service roads. Which is till date the biggest demolition of bars, hotels and lodges in the city.

Sandeep Malvi, PRO of TMC, reportedly said, “Satyam Lodge is near Upavan lake, a popular hangout for residents. The lodge is a 10×20 sqft structure visible from the road. Initially, we demolished only a small portion of the lodge, which was obstructing the road, but were shocked to find so many rooms in the basement.”

Earlier in 2014, Thane police cell had raided the lodge and had found 60 room in the basement. On which Ashutosh Dhumbare, Thane police Joint Commissioner said, “We were not aware that the lodge had so many rooms. I have asked a senior police inspector and deputy commissioner of police from the zone to give a report on the lodge and the earlier raid.”

Also, the cops had laid allegation against the TMC saying that it is the TMC’s duty to take action against illegal structures. The TMC had earlier said that the lodge was built in 1984 and the rooms were built in the basement. All these years the lodge paid taxes for only 16 rooms. Now Municipal Corporation is looking to register a case against the lodge owner.