A joint operation by Gurugram Police and the Haryana State Commission for Women detained 50 people and searched 18 spa centres at Sapphire 90 Mall in Sector 90 after authorities received complaints of suspected unlawful activity at the commercial premises.
The six-hour operation began at about 10 pm and continued until 3 am, according to a report by Live Hindustan – NCR. More than 100 police personnel were involved in the action, during which teams simultaneously entered the spa centres operating inside the mall.
The detained group included approximately 30 women and 20 men. The authorities have taken them into custody for questioning, while investigators work to establish their roles and the circumstances in which they were present at the premises.
The operation found what authorities described as prima facie evidence of serious unlawful activity at eight of the 18 spa centres. Police seized electronic devices, digital data, documents considered suspicious and other physical evidence from those locations. The material will be examined as part of an investigation into the ownership and operation of the centres.
The report said police are investigating the roles of the owners, operators and managers of the spa businesses, as well as any people who may have facilitated or supported the alleged network. The authorities have not yet announced final findings or said what charges will follow against individual detainees.
Officials from the women’s commission are questioning the women found during the raid to determine the conditions in which they were working and whether any of them may have been compelled to participate in the suspected activities. The men found at the centres are also being questioned about their presence and involvement. Further legal action will be based on the findings of the investigation.
The action followed complaints received by Gurugram Police about suspected activities at spa centres in Sapphire 90 Mall. The report said the operation was planned after authorities took suo motu cognisance of the complaints. The police and commission teams then conducted the raid without prior public notice.
The preliminary search and seizure process was carried out under the supervision of ACP Headquarters-I Abhilaksh Joshi, identified in the report as the special police officer appointed under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956. The case investigation will now be handled by Kherki Daula police station.
Gurugram Police said commercial spaces and apparently legitimate businesses would not be allowed to serve as cover for organised crime or unlawful activities. The department also said it was monitoring other locations in the city and indicated that further enforcement action could follow based on complaints and investigation findings.
