Delhi Police bust spa-based prostitution racket in Paharganj, owner arrested; four women rescued

New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) The Central District Police on Wednesday busted an alleged prostitution racket being run under the guise of a spa in Delhi’s Paharganj area, arresting the owner-cum-manager of the establishment and rescuing four women during a decoy operation.

According to police, the operation was launched after Police Station Paharganj received specific intelligence on June 30 that immoral trafficking activities were allegedly being carried out at SIN SPA, located on the second floor of Property No. 15, Panchkuian Road, Paharganj. The information suggested that customers were being lured to the spa and provided sexual services in exchange for money.

Acting on the tip-off, police constituted a dedicated raiding team comprising Sub Inspector Pragati Soni, SI Kaikho Ashune, SI Sudheer Kumar, Constable Khushbu, Ct Ravi, Ct Mintu, Ct Sitaram and other personnel under the supervision of senior officers.

As part of the operation, a decoy customer was briefed and provided with pre-recorded currency notes worth Rs 2,000. After entering the spa, the decoy was allegedly offered sexual services by the spa operator, who accepted the advance payment and directed one of the women present to accompany him to a room.

Upon receiving the predetermined signal from the decoy customer, the raiding team entered the premises and conducted a search. The accused was apprehended on the spot, and police recovered cash, documents and other materials that allegedly indicated illegal activities were being carried out from the premises.

Following the raid, FIR No. 305/2026, dated July 1, was registered at PS Paharganj under Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956. Further investigation into the case is underway.

The arrested accused has been identified as Ajay Malhotra (39), a resident of Multani Dhanda in Nabi Karim, Delhi. Police said he was the owner-cum-manager of SIN SPA and was allegedly operating the establishment while facilitating prostitution under the guise of spa services.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly admitted to managing the spa and arranging sexual services for customers in exchange for money. Police are also investigating whether any other individuals were involved in operating the alleged trafficking network.

The four women found at the premises were rescued during the operation. They include a 40-year-old woman from Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh; a 26-year-old woman from Dadar Bazar, Delhi; a 26-year-old woman from Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh; and a 31-year-old woman from Nabi Karim, Delhi.

Police recovered Rs 3,400 in cash, including the pre-recorded decoy money of Rs 2,000, a customer entry register, seven unused condoms, including two recovered from Room No. 3, and other materials believed to be linked to the alleged illegal activities.

The Central District Police said further investigation is in progress to identify other persons connected with the alleged prostitution racket.

–IANS

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