Published Oct 20, 2026 | 8:46 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 20, 2026 | 9:42 PM
POSCO cases will be registered against those found to have sexually exploited the girl.
Synopsis: A Junior Health Inspector at the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Anuroop, has been arrested in connection with the alleged sexual exploitation of a 16-year-old girl at spas in Kovalam, with police suspecting an inter-State trafficking network. The girl was allegedly sexually exploited at three spas in Kovalam over more than a year and at another spa in Guduvancheri. A Bengaluru native allegedly acted as an intermediary in bringing her from Tamil Nadu to Keralam.
The Kerala Police arrested a Junior Health Inspector of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation in connection with the alleged sexual exploitation of a 16-year-old girl at spas in Kovalam on Tuesday, 20 October. Police suspect that an inter-State trafficking network was involved in bringing the girl, a native of Andhra Pradesh, to Keralam.
The official, JH Anuroop, who works at the Corporation’s Ulloor zonal office, was suspended by Mayor VV Rajesh following his arrest. Police identified him as the actual owner of the ‘Dreams’ spa, which was allegedly run as a benami establishment by its manager, Nishanth.
JH Anuroop.
Nishanth, 46, a native of Poovar, and Sajith Kumar, 47, from Mavelikkara, had been arrested earlier. Police said the spa’s earnings were transferred to Anuroop’s bank account, with deposits of up to ₹25,000 allegedly being made daily. His bank records and other evidence led to his arrest, police said.
The survivor was taken to the spa as part of the evidence-collection process. Police are also collecting details of people who visited the establishments. Cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act will be registered against those found to have sexually exploited the girl.
The investigation is being led by Kovalam Circle Inspector Sreekumar.
The girl was allegedly subjected to sexual exploitation at three spas in Kovalam over more than a year. Based on her statements to the police, the establishments have been identified as ‘Ayur Kerala’, ‘Dalia Home’ and ‘Kerala Ayurveda’.
The Tamil Nadu police have separately registered a case after the girl told the Kovalam police that she was also abused at a spa in Guduvancheri. A Tamil Nadu police team is expected to visit Kovalam to record her statement.
A Bengaluru native allegedly acted as an intermediary in bringing her from Tamil Nadu to Keralam. Police are trying to apprehend the person.
A special team of the Kerala Police is also expected to travel to Bengaluru and Andhra Pradesh, the girl’s home State, to gather further evidence and information.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said in Thrissur on Monday that the government was considering a separate law to regulate spas. He said there was little clarity about who was setting up many of these establishments and what activities were being carried out behind closed doors.
The girl, who lost both her parents, was allegedly brought to Keralam in July by her maternal aunt and the aunt’s husband, who had been taking care of her. The couple allegedly passed her off as an adult and sold her for sexual exploitation.
An Aadhaar card recovered from the girl indicated that she was 20. The police found the document to be forged. The relatives are believed to have returned to Andhra Pradesh, and the Kovalam police have launched a search for them.
The girl had reportedly been made to work at different spas since July. The case came to light after she fell in love with a young man at one of the establishments and attempted to flee with him. Details of the alleged abuse emerged during counselling, prompting a police investigation into suspected human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Examination of Nishanth’s mobile phone reportedly revealed information about suspected benami financial transactions involving a health official. Investigators are examining the transactions and the official’s role.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
