Five nabbed for human trafficking under guise of running spa

Ahmedabad: The city police conducted a raid on a spa in Odhav late Tuesday night and apprehended five individuals for their alleged involvement in human trafficking under the guise of operating a spa. The accused were later presented in a magistrate court on Wednesday, which ordered their detention in Sabarmati jail.

The five suspects consist of Rahul Valand (29), the owner of Bodhi International Spa Centre and a resident of Chandkheda, as well as Nikul Desai (26) from Vastral, who worked as a helper at the spa. The remaining three were customers at the spa, namely Shoaib Indawala (33) from Astodia, Ravi Prajapati (27) from Narol in Ahmedabad, and Saad Ahmed Nabi (24) from Khandar in Maharashtra.

According to the FIR filed by Odhav police station, the spa is situated in the Dharmakunj Arcade Complex near Odhav. The police had received multiple complaints through the Police Control Room, alleging that the accused were involved in illegal activities, essentially human trafficking in the spa.

Upon verifying the complaints, the police deployed an undercover officer who posed as a client at the spa on Tuesday night. According to the FIR, the police officer asked for a “body massage, along with sex,” from the spa centre’s owner, negotiated a price, and then proceeded to an assigned room. Once inside, the officer signalled to police personnel waiting outside by making a missed call.

Shortly after, the police personnel entered the premises and apprehended the five suspects. According to the FIR, the three customers were found in compromising positions with women, one of whom claimed to be from Aizawl and charged Rs 1,000 for each “service.” DeshGujarat