The Sampadak Express News Desk
The Thiruvananthapuram City Police have arrested two men in connection with the alleged sexual exploitation of a 16-year-old girl at a spa in Kovalam, The Hindu reported.
According to the Kovalam police, the accused have been identified as Nishanth, 46, of Poovar, and Sajith Kumar, 47, of Mavelikkara.
The Hindu reported that the victim, a native of Andhra Pradesh, is suspected to have been brought to Kovalam in July by her maternal aunt and the aunt’s husband, who had been caring for her after her parents died.
Investigators suspect the relatives used forged documents to pass her off as 20 years old. Police said an Aadhaar card indicating that age was found to be fake.
The girl had purportedly worked at various spas since July and was subjected to sexual exploitation. Her ordeal came to light after she reportedly fell in love with a man at one of the spas and tried to flee, later disclosing details of the alleged abuse during counselling, according to The Hindu.
The girl’s relatives, accused of trafficking and exploiting her, are believed to have returned to Andhra Pradesh. The Kovalam police have launched an investigation to trace them, The Hindu reported.
City police are also examining the suspected involvement of a health official in the operations of a spa. An official told The Hindu that leads of possible benami transactions emerged during an examination of Nishanth’s mobile phone.
In the wake of the case, the Kerala Police conducted a Statewide crackdown on spas and wellness centres, inspecting 586 establishments and registering 14 cases for various violations, The Hindu reported. Five persons were taken into custody during the raids, and notices were served to 44 spas operating in violation of statutory regulations.
