Aunt Kept Watch Outside, Beatings for Refusal: 16-Year-Old Sexual Abuse Victim Endured Brutal Abuse

Thiruvananthapuram: More details have emerged in the case of a 16-year-old girl from Andhra Pradesh who was sexually exploited at spas in Kovalam. The girl, who had lost her parents, was handed over for sexual exploitation by her maternal aunt and the aunt's husband. The girl was brutally assaulted during the abuse, while her aunt reportedly stood guard to prevent her from escaping. Four accused, including spa operators, have been arrested. The investigation has also been extended to Tamil Nadu.

The girl's maternal aunt allegedly guarded the room from outside and assaulted her when she refused to comply with sexual demands. The prolonged abuse caused serious health problems, and marks of physical assault were reportedly found on her body. The group continued exploiting the girl by restricting her movements and keeping her under surveillance.

The first and second accused, the girl's maternal aunt and her husband, were arrested by Kerala Police from Palasamudram in Andhra Pradesh's Sri Sathya Sai district. Investigators found that the couple had allegedly taken the girl to various spas by falsely presenting her as an adult woman.

Sajith Kumar (47) and Nishanth (46), operators of spas in Kovalam, had been arrested earlier. Both are in judicial remand.

Abuse at a Chennai Spa; Zero FIR Registered

The investigation was extended after the girl stated that she had also been sexually exploited in Tamil Nadu before being brought to Keralam. She disclosed that the abuse had taken place at a spa in Guduvanchery in Chengalpattu district.

A Zero FIR has been registered in connection with the incident, and steps have been initiated to transfer the case to Tamil Nadu. The investigation team has also decided to collect CCTV footage from the spa in Chennai.

A nine-member special investigation team comprising Crime Branch and Narcotics Cell officers has been constituted to investigate the case. The team will examine visitor details, registers and CCTV footage from the spas. Investigators are seeking to identify and bring into the case others who allegedly sexually exploited the girl.

Spa Payments Allegedly Routed to Government Official's Bank Account

Another significant development in the investigation concerns the alleged financial links between the spa operators and a health inspector with the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

According to reports, payments made by customers through a QR code installed at the establishment were credited to the health inspector's bank account. Investigators have also obtained details indicating that the official was in frequent telephone contact with the arrested spa operators.

The possibility that the spa was being operated through a benami arrangement involving the health inspector is also under investigation. Digital records and financial transactions recovered from the phone of Nishanth, one of the arrested operators, are being examined.

Fake Aadhaar Card Used to Falsely Show Girl as an Adult

The girl lost her parents when she was two years old and grew up under the care of her maternal aunt. After living in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, she was taken to a spa in Chennai. She was subsequently brought to Kovalam in July in the expectation of earning more money. She was kept at spas in Thozhichal and Avaduthura.

On September 19, the girl escaped with a young man from Neyyar Dam whom she had met at the spa. Her maternal aunt subsequently lodged a missing-person complaint with the police. The girl was traced during an investigation on September 22.

The accused produced an Aadhaar card stating that the girl was 20 years old. However, another Aadhaar card showed her age as 16. Police contacted the school in Andhra Pradesh where she had studied. Documents obtained from the school confirmed her age, following which she was moved to a safe facility.

During counselling, the girl disclosed the sexual exploitation she had allegedly endured for months.

Child Rights Commission Intervenes

The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has registered a suo motu case in connection with the incident. Commission member Dr F Wilson initiated the proceedings.

The commission has sought reports from the Thiruvananthapuram District Police Chief, the Corporation Secretary and the District Child Protection Officer. It has also directed that the girl be provided with the necessary counselling.

Statewide Inspections Under Operation Spa

Following the incident, police inspections at spas across Keralam have been intensified. Under Operation Spa, inspections were conducted at 586 of the 821 establishments checked across the state. Fourteen cases were registered and five people were arrested. Notices were issued to 44 establishments for violations of regulations.

Police have decided to consider action under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) against spa operators who repeatedly engage in illegal activities. They will also seek the cancellation of bail granted to accused in previous cases.