Kochi: The police conducted extensive raids in a slew of beauty parlours in the city on the suspicion that many of them are engaged in sex trade under the guise of massage parlours. The raids conducted simultaneously in 13 such establishments in various parts of the city based on specific inputs, said a police official.
The police arrested eight persons including four women in connection with the raids, he added. Ernakulam range IG M.R. Ajithkumar and city police commissioner K.G. James have given instructions for the raids on the basis of inputs that even minor girls were used for sex trade under the cover of massage parlours and beauty clinics. Girls were brought from many places in Kerala and outside the state for such purpose, a statement issued by the commissioner said.
“Many of the beauty parlours in the city were under police surveillance for the past few days” it stated. Raids were held at Rich Mont Beauty Parlour functioning at Pioneer Tower, Monus at Kaloor-Kathrikadavu Road, Ila World Spa at Panampilly Nagar, Rogins near Power House in Vytila and others.
The arrested were identified as Ms Nancy 40, Ms Geethakumari 50, Ms Lijo 31, Ms Bindhi 42, Hari 41, Murkuan 30, KA Dominic 59, Ravi 65, Pramod 34. Nancy and Geethakumari were arrested in a similar case few months ago. Raids will be conducted against such establishments in coming days too, police said. Strict action will be taken against persons running such establishments, they added.
Raids were led by ACP Rex Boby Arvin, central station circle inspector Nizamudin, sub-inspector Anand Lal and others.
