Commissionerate Police launches major crackdown on sex trafficking in Bhubaneswar spas

Bhubaneswar, Oct 21: In a significant effort to combat sex trafficking, the Commissionerate Police has initiated a dedicated campaign against illicit activities disguised as spa centres, salons, and massage parlours in Bhubaneswar. This action follows the recent exposure of a sex racket operating from a saloon near Ravi Talkies.

During a press conference, Bhubaneswar DCP Pinak Mishra emphasized the Odisha government’s commitment to dismantling these illicit operations. He instructed all police stations and their respective officers in charge (IICs) to prioritize investigations and conduct thorough raids on suspicious establishments within their jurisdictions.

Mishra noted that an FIR had been registered at Badagada police station regarding a minor girl who was forcibly engaged in a spa and physically assaulted when she resisted. Following this, two individuals were arrested. The crackdown is expected to persist in the upcoming days.

In a recent operation, Badagada police acted on a tip-off, raiding ‘Diamond Salon and Spa,’ where they rescued two women and seized incriminating evidence, leading to the arrest of one suspect. This situation emerged when locals alerted authorities after hearing the victim's cries for help, revealing that she was coerced into prostitution.