KOCHI: The alleged gangrape of a woman after she was lured into a lodge in Edappally on the promise of a job at a spa has brought the functioning of such wellness centres in the state under renewed scrutiny. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has directed the police to take stringent action against illegal activities in the guise of such operations.
“Complaints have been received about fraud, sexual assault and people being threatened. There are also allegations of large-scale extortion and sex racketeering. Such activities cannot be permitted under any circumstances. I have directed the DGP to take strong action and the matter is being examined,” Chennithala said. The minister was responding to reporters’ questions in Thiruvananthapuram.
The remarks came amid Kalamassery police’s investigations into the Edappally case, in which four persons have been arrested. Officers said the woman was allegedly coaxed into the lodge on October 2 on the promise of arranging a job. She was allegedly forced to drink beer spiked with narcotic substances before being subjected to sexual assault over two days.
The survivor has identified all four arrested, while officers are probing the involvement of two more persons. Investigators have also identified spas allegedly linked to prime accused Sreeraj and are examining their activities.
The case has also raised concerns within the industry. Rinshad K, president of the Spa Wellness Development and Welfare Association (SWDWA), Keralam, said his organisation had received complaints about Sreeraj’s alleged activities nearly a year ago.
“We contacted Sreeraj based on the complaints, but ended up at the receiving end of threats from goonda groups. We submitted a complaint with the Kochi police commissioner. Raids were subsequently conducted at several spas in Kalamassery,” he said.
Rinshad said the body had been receiving complaints about drug use, harassment of women and goonda attacks. He, however, stressed that Sreeraj was not a member of the association.
The concerns are not confined to Kochi. In February, a woman employee of an ayurvedic spa in Tiruvalla was allegedly gangraped after a group demanded extortion money from the establishment.
Police alleged that the group stormed the spa after its demand for Rs 50,000 was refused and sexually assaulted the woman.
The incident triggered scrutiny of spas elsewhere.
In the state capital, earlier this year, the corporation identified 17 of 137 spas and wellness centres operating without valid licences.
Police raided around 25 spas based on special branch inputs regarding alleged drug peddling and exploitation of women employees.
Rinshad said legitimate establishments should not be viewed through the same lens because of isolated incidents. He said Kochi has more than 400 spas, around 200 of which are registered with his association.
“We support action against any establishment involved in illegal activities. But all spa operators cannot be treated as offenders. Legitimate establishments follow procedures such as verifying identity documents and Aadhaar of employees and giving preference to trained therapists,” he said.
Aneesh S, secretary of SWDWA, said the guilty should face stringent legal action. “Law-abiding establishments and illegal activities must be clearly distinguished. Our member establishments are expected to function responsibly and comply with the law, and the association will never support violations,” he said.
THE INCIDENTS THAT UNFOLDED
The woman was allegedly coaxed into the lodge on October 2 on the promise of arranging a job
She was allegedly forced to drink beer spiked with narcotic substances before being subjected to sexual assault over two days
The survivor has identified all four arrested, while officers are probing the involvement of two more persons
