Pune, 13 April 2026: In a shocking incident, 13 women, including 10 Bangladeshi nationals, escaped from a shelter facility operated by Rescue Foundation in Mohammadwadi, Pune, raising serious concerns about security arrangements at the center.
The incident occurred around 7 am on March 23 and came to light after a video of the escape surfaced on social media. A case was subsequently registered at Kalepadal police station. Police have traced two of the women from nearby areas, while efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining 11.
According to officials, the women staying at the facility were victims booked under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (PITA) and were linked to cases registered at multiple police stations, including Dighi, Faraskhana, Shirur, Dehuroad, Jejuri, Kondhwa and Nagar.
Preliminary investigation indicates that the escape was planned by three Bangladeshi women. They allegedly took advantage of a situation when only one senior female staff member was present in the rector’s room, overpowered her, tied her hands and legs, and took the main gate keys from a cupboard. They then unlocked the gate and escaped, after which other inmates followed.
A senior police official from Kalepadal police station said special teams have been formed to trace the absconding women and further legal action is underway.
The shelter home currently houses 42 women, including 32 Bangladeshi nationals, and officials noted that some inmates had continued to stay even after their visas expired.
The incident has raised serious concerns over safety, supervision, and monitoring mechanisms at the shelter home.