The Special Task Force (STF) of Crime Branch has arrested another couple on the charge of helping Ruksar Begum alias Anjali ‘Didi’ in running a sex racket involving Bangladeshi women.

Earlier, the sleuths had nabbed Anjali Didi and her husband Sk Ibrahim for allegedly running a sex racket involving. Based on her revelations, the STF on Wednesday arrested Panchanan Padhi and wife Preeti Padhi from Pipili area. As per reports, the couple was acting as middlemen for Anjali and Ibrahim.

A vehicle used by the Pipili couple to transport Bangladeshi women was also seized.

Later, during a two-remand with the STF, Anjali and Ibrahim provided startling revelations about their modus operandi. Several middlemen were operating in the State on behalf of Anjali whereas in Bangladesh, her network was being managed by her sister Hapi Akhtar.

As per reports, Hapi used to lure low and middle class women from Bangladesh with jobs and send them into India illegally. With the help of some border security personnel, Hapi was able to send Bangladeshi women into the India without visa and passport.

After reaching Kolkata, the Bangladeshi women used to be sent to different parts of India with the help of agents.

In Bhubaneswar alone, 25 Bangladeshi women were active in the flesh trade. But after the STF raid, the Bangladeshi women have fled to Kolkata, said an official.

Though Anjali was a Bangladeshi national, she was having an Indian Aadhaar card that was provided to her by one Abhi residing on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. Abhi even prepared forged Aadhaar card for the Bangladeshi women as well. A manhunt has been launched to nab him, the official added.