Published Oct 19, 2026 | 12:10 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 19, 2026 | 12:10 PM
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the government is considering a separate law to regulate the rapidly growing spa sector.
A probe into the alleged trafficking and sexual exploitation of a 16-year-old girl at a spa in Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram, has widened, with police investigating the suspected involvement of the girl’s relatives and possible links to a health official.
The case has also brought the functioning of spas across Keralam under scrutiny, prompting a statewide enforcement drive and a fresh push by the government to introduce legislation regulating such establishments.
The girl, a native of Andhra Pradesh who lost both her parents, was allegedly brought to Kerala in July by her maternal aunt and the latter’s husband, who had been taking care of her. The couple allegedly passed her off as an adult using forged documents and sold her for sexual exploitation.
An Aadhaar card recovered from her indicated that she was 20, but 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, leading to a police investigation into possible human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Police have arrested Nishanth, 46, a native of Poovar, and Sajith Kumar, 47, from Mavelikkara, in connection with the case. Investigators are examining the role of the spa where the girl was allegedly exploited, amid information that it was a benami establishment linked to a health inspector.
Examination of Nishanth’s mobile phone reportedly revealed information about suspected benami financial transactions involving a health official. The alleged connection is being investigated, and no conclusion has been reached on the official’s role. The probe is being led by Kovalam Circle Inspector Sreekumar.
The case has coincided with a statewide police crackdown on spas.
Under Operation Spa, launched on the instructions of ADGP (Law and Order) P Vijayan, police inspected 586 of the 821 establishments identified across the state. Cases have been registered against 14 establishments, and five people have been arrested so far. Notices have also been issued to 44 spas for violating regulations.
Kozhikode City recorded the highest number of enforcement actions, with raids at 70 of the 87 identified centres resulting in four cases and four arrests. In Malappuram, police conducted inspections at 71 of 78 centres.
Thrissur City saw inspections at 56 of 58 centres, while 55 of the 71 identified centres in Palakkad were inspected. Three cases each were registered in Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha, two in Ernakulam Rural, and one each in Kottayam and Idukki.
The government is also considering a separate law to regulate the rapidly growing spa sector, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said in Thrissur on Monday. 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.
Many spas currently operate under the Shops and Establishments Act, but complaints have mounted over establishments allegedly functioning without proper licences or accountability. The government has received complaints that women brought from within and outside Keralam for employment are being subjected to sexual exploitation. Some centres have also allegedly been involved in cheating customers and financial fraud.
Chennithala said the government was seriously considering legislation to regulate spas and protect young women and their families from exploitation. He warned that establishments operating without the required authorisation would be shut down immediately and that stringent legal action would be taken against their owners.
“Such establishments cannot be permitted in Keralam under any circumstances,” he said, adding that the raids and registration of cases would be intensified. He also urged those running illegal establishments to stop their operations.
Also Read:
Woman allegedly drugged, gang-raped at Kochi spa after job offer; two held
(Edited by R Rajesh Kumar.)
