(Image source from: The Daily Tribune)

An Indian businessman and his spouse have been arrested on charges of running a high-end prostitution ring to lure actresses from Tollywood- a segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Telugu language- in Chicago.

According to reports, the couple was luring Telugu actresses to the U.S. and through messaging platforms were advertising them for sexual activity at Indian conferences and cultural events in the U.S.

A 42-page complaint filed with the district court in Chicago against the couple for charging up to $3000 from the clients. The police force as well found that the couple brought actresses on impermanent visas, at least five actresses were sometimes involuntary made to stay in a dingy, two-story apartment in Belmont Cragin.

The prostitution scheme was allegedly masterminded by an Indian businessman Kishan Modugumudi, 34, who co-produced several films and rose to become a player in the Tollywood movie industry.

Modugumudi allegedly threatened the life of one of the actresses and kin if she disclosed the actuality to law enforcement.

Modugumudi told the woman, identified in the charges only as Victim A, that "it would be nothing for him to harm her if she talked to the police about him because she is small and unknown, not a big actress," the complaint alleged. "(He) further stated he had a copy of her passport with her family's name and address in it."

Modugumudi and his wife were accused in April of duping young Telugu girls in the name of opportunities and luring them to the U.S. to supply them to prominent people. The couple was on the run, before being arrested in late April.

He worked on films such as Hyderabad Blues, Rockford, Bollywood Calling and studying the industry. Later, he worked on blockbuster films such as Dhee, Venky and Dubai Seenu. The "Aadya Group of Companies" was started by him to work in distribution, production of telefilms and in real estate.

Modugumudi's wife, Chandra, 31, was also charged, who allegedly kept detailed ledgers of the sexual acts performed by each girl, including where they occurred and the amount they collected.

A note has been recovered from the producer's email from the victimized actress saying, "Please do not call me and don't try to contact me," she wrote, according to the Tribune. She also wrote that it was very unpleasant doing business with him and that she would be forced to make a formal complaint if he tried to contact her again.

The couple's children are in the custody of child welfare officials in Virginia while the couple is in federal custody.

By Sowmya Sangam