Thiruvananthapuram, 21 Oct (H.S.): Keralam Police will take stringent action in the alleged sexual exploitation of a minor girl at a Kovalam spa and conduct extensive inspections of spas across the state, Director General of Police Ravada Chandrasekhar said.

The police chief said investigators were treating the suspected human trafficking involved in the case with utmost seriousness.

Police have identified Anuroop, a health inspector with the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, as an alleged key member of the racket. Investigators reportedly detected unusual transactions running into lakhs of rupees across four bank accounts belonging to him.

According to police, Anuroop entered the spa business after joining the corporation as a junior health inspector at its Ulloor zonal office. Investigators suspect he controlled the Kovalam establishment through a proxy and was directly involved in operating two other spas.

Police said the minor was brought to Kovalam following discussions with Anuroop.

Mayor V.V. Rajesh suspended Anuroop following his arrest. The corporation has since initiated proceedings for his dismissal, considering the seriousness of the allegations.

Investigators said the girl, whose parents died during her childhood, was raised by her maternal aunt. Police allege that the aunt subsequently trafficked her for sexual exploitation under an arrangement involving payments ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 4,000 for each instance of abuse.

The aunt and her husband allegedly joined the spa as cleaning workers to monitor the child and force her compliance. Police said the girl suffered physical abuse whenever she resisted, and injuries, including burn marks, were found on her body.

Anuroop, the aunt, her husband and others connected with the establishment have been arrested.

Police are now tracing visitors suspected of abusing the child. With no CCTV footage or visitor register available, investigators are examining telephone records linked to the accused and the establishment to identify suspects and establish their involvement.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman