Uzbek national Lola Kayumova, 45, who allegedly changed her appearance and moved between addresses to evade arrest in a suspected sex-trafficking case, was arrested in Lucknow on Tuesday night after more than a year on the run, police said on Wednesday.
Kayumova was wanted in a case registered in June 2025 after police found two Uzbek women staying illegally in an apartment at the Omaxe R1 complex in Sushant Golf City. Police alleged that she brought women from Uzbekistan to India through Nepal on the pretext of providing jobs before pushing them into prostitution.
Police said Kayumova had undergone seven cosmetic surgeries involving her face, lips, underarms and private parts, allegedly to alter her appearance and look younger. Investigators had earlier alleged that she presented herself as a younger, affluent woman while operating the network.
During interrogation, the two Uzbek women, identified as Holida and Nilofar, allegedly told police that the surgeries were performed by Lucknow-based doctor Vivek Gupta at his private clinic in Ahmamau.
Kayumova, Gupta and Kayumova’s live-in partner Trijin alias Arjun Rana had been absconding since the case was registered.
According to DCP South Md Mushtaq, “the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) alerted Sushant Golf City police about Kayumova’s presence in Lucknow. A police team questioned her before arresting her at the women’s help desk of the police station. She was later produced before a court.”
Additional DCP South Vasanth Rallapalli said Kayumova had allegedly continued living in India for several years after her passport and visa expired and had obtained Indian identity documents despite being a foreign national.
“During questioning, Kayumova allegedly admitted to living at different places across states and districts after her documents expired. She also allegedly told investigators that several associates had helped her and that women linked to the group were involved in prostitution in different parts of the country,” Rallapalli added.
Police recovered two mobile phones from Kayumova and are examining their contents for evidence about other alleged members of the network.
Kayumova faces charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Registration of Foreigners Act and Foreigners Act in the case registered at Sushant Golf City police station. Police said further action against other accused would depend on the evidence recovered.
