Sixty-five women were rescued from Hyderabad after an international human trafficking racket, operating under the guise of spas, came to light with the police arresting 20 persons, according to a Times of India report.
The 65 women were employed as masseuses but forced to indulge in prostitution, the report says. There were 34 Thai nationals among the women rescued.
Madhapur police raided 12 locations, including Sapta Spa, Tantra Spa, V Spa, Mandara Spa, Moh Spa, Aura Spa in Gachibowli; Aura Spa, Sapta Spa, Tantra Spa, Blizz Spa, Moh Spa and New Revive Spa in Madhapur, based on a tip-off.
Following statements from the victims, police arrested 20 organisers including kingpin Dasari Siddhartha, 32, who was operating three of the 12 spas reportedly.
Siddhartha was also supplying women to several other spas in the city through the other accused.
Siddhartha had been procuring women from Thailand, North Eastern states and from the city. He provides accommodation to the women at a flat on Road Number 12, Banjara Hills. By paying them paltry amounts, he would force them to indulge in prostitution at the spas.Vishwa Prasad, DCP Madhapur, to TOI
The evidence seized from the spas include semen-stained underwear, tissue papers, used and unused condoms.
“Once the women reach Hyderabad, Siddhartha takes possession of their passports and engages them in his spas for prostitution. Sarfaraz Ali, Vinay, Ajay and others were assisting Siddhartha in these illegal activities.
Siddhartha along with absconding accused Venkata Reddy and Balasubramanyam run a chain of spas in Madhapur, Jubilee Hills and Bengaluru. He earns about “Rs 90 lakh per month from this business,” the DCP added.
(The article was originally published on The News Minute.)
(#TalkingStalking: Have you ever been stalked? Share your experience with The Quint and inspire others to shatter the silence surrounding stalking. Send your stories to editor@thequint.com or WhatsApp @ +919999008335.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)