Five women from Mizoram, including two minors, were rescued from an alleged sex trafficking racket operating under the guise of a spa in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, following a joint operation by Mizoram Police, the state Women and Child Development Department, and Uttarakhand Police. Six persons have been arrested in connection with the case.
The operation was launched after a survivor escaped and lodged an FIR at the All Women Police Station in Aizawl on May 1, triggering an interstate probe into the trafficking network.
According to Mizoram Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) H Ramthlengliana, the accused include the alleged mastermind, the spa owner, his Mizo woman aide and another female associate.
Police said the victims had been lured with promises of jobs at a salon and spa in Rudrapur with a monthly salary of Rs 20,000. The accused allegedly arranged and financed their travel to Uttarakhand in October last year.
However, upon arrival, the women were allegedly forced into prostitution. The survivor told police that they were informed “extra services” for clients were compulsory to receive their wages.
Investigators said the victims were allegedly made to attend to between three and nine clients daily and were forced to consume alcohol and intoxicants before meeting customers.
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Despite the exploitation, the women reportedly did not receive their promised salaries. Police said wages were withheld after deductions for food, accommodation and travel, with victims given only about Rs 500 per month for personal use.
Attempts to leave the premises were allegedly prevented, with the facility kept locked. On April 4, the women managed to escape by breaking the gate lock with tools and returned to Aizawl three days later before approaching the police.
Following the complaint, a case was registered under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. A Special Investigation Team led by the SDPO of Aizawl South was formed.
Acting on further inputs that more women remained trapped, a joint team travelled to Uttarakhand on May 4 and, in coordination with local police, raided the spa in Rudrapur the next day, rescuing five women.
The rescued victims are currently under the care of the Child Welfare Committee in Rudrapur, where they are receiving medical treatment and trauma counselling. Efforts are underway to bring them back to Mizoram.
Further investigation into the trafficking network is ongoing.
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