In a landmark move against human trafficking and organized prostitution, the Nilambag police in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, have initiated proceedings to confiscate a commercial property under Section 107 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Officials confirmed that this is the first such action in the state.
Targeting Alleged Prostitution Racket
The confiscation targets Shabana Theem, a habitual offender accused of running a prostitution racket under the guise of massage parlours. Section 107 of the BNSS deals with the attachment, forfeiture, or seizure of property derived from criminal activities, particularly in cases involving organized crime or unlawful gains.
Details of the Establishments
According to police, Shabana operated two establishments: “Ayu Thai Family Spa” in shop 309 on the third floor of the Eva Surbhi Complex on Waghawadi Road, and “Crystal Family Spa” on the second floor of the Shiva Blessing Building. Two FIRs were registered at the Nilambag Police Station against her under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.
Modus Operandi and Financial Probe
Investigations revealed that the accused coerced women into prostitution by threatening them and forbidding them from leaving the spa premises. While she collected hefty sums from customers, the victimized women were paid trivial amounts, with the accused pocketing the majority of the illicit profits. An in-depth financial probe uncovered that Shabana originally rented the shop for “Ayu Thai Family Spa” in 2022. As her illicit business thrived, she used the illegal earnings to outright purchase the same shop, even paying off the bank loan EMIs using funds generated from the prostitution racket. The current market value of this property is estimated to be around Rs 80 lakhs.
Legal Action Under BNSS
Because the immovable property was acquired through illegal income, the police submitted a report to the magistrate to officially seize shop 309 under Section 107 of the new BNSS laws. Police records indicate that Shabana is a repeat offender, having had similar cases registered against her in 2016 and 2025. Despite previous legal actions, she continued her anti-social activities.
Police Statement
Assistant superintendent of police (ASP), Bhavnagar, Ghanshyam Gautam stated, “This is the first such case in Gujarat of attachment of property initiated under BNSS 107. We have used this new law to ensure a complete demolition of illegal activities. This power was previously used by ED mostly. We will use this against history sheeters and repeated offenders.” The police noted that failing to curb such illicit operations could attract other youths to similar crimes, prompting the strict application of the new BNSS provisions to dismantle her economic network.
