Mumbai : Mumbai Police busted a sex racket being run under the cover of a massage spa in Chembur, rescuing eight women and arresting six people, including the spa manager, an employee, and four customers.
The operation was carried out at the ‘Anantara Ayurveda and Wellness Centre’ located on the fourth floor of Kukreja Arcade in Chembur. Acting on a tip-off that the spa was operating a prostitution ring under the guise of massage services, police devised a plan to verify the information by sending in a decoy customer.
The manager demanded ₹2,500 for a massage and ₹7,000 for sexual services. Once the payment was made and a woman was selected, the police team raided the premises and caught the suspects red-handed.
During the raid, eight women aged between 22 and 40 were rescued. Investigations revealed that the women had been lured with promises of legitimate employment in the spa but were later coerced into prostitution. Customers were first brought in under the pretext of massage services and then offered "extra services" by selecting from among the women. Most of the money from these transactions went to the spa management, while the women received only a small share.
Police also seized three mobile phones, a computer, CCTV DVR, a rate card listing prices for customers, cash, and a pen drive. These items were reportedly used to maintain records of customers, monitor activities, and handle payments. A locker was also found on-site, and police are investigating the cash stored inside it, with the password known only to the owner.
According to police, the racket was highly organized. The manager and staff actively promoted extra services and coerced the women into participating. The arrested customers have reportedly admitted they visited the spa for sexual services.
The raid was conducted by the Crime Detection Unit of Chembur Police Station, assisted by officers from Mankhurd Police and RCF Police Station, in the presence of independent witnesses (panchas). A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, and further investigation is underway.
Police have confirmed that all eight rescued women have been sent to a safe shelter, and rehabilitation procedures have been initiated.
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