The special investigation team probing the alleged sexual exploitation of a 16-year-old girl from Andhra Pradesh at spas in Kovalam has traced bank transactions worth several lakhs of rupees, including monthly transfers of Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh allegedly made by a spa owner to a relative of the girl, according to SIT sources cited by the Times of India.
The transactions are being examined as part of the investigation into the alleged exploitation of the minor at spas in the Kovalam area of Thiruvananthapuram. Investigators are also assessing whether the money transferred into the accounts of the accused and their family members was linked to the alleged illegal activity.
The SIT has alleged that the third accused, identified as spa owner Sajith, transferred between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 3 lakh every month into the bank account of the husband of the girl’s younger aunt. Investigators reportedly obtained screenshots and other digital evidence relating to the payments.
The team is also examining transactions involving the bank accounts of other accused persons. According to the SIT, the spas where the girl was allegedly exploited may have handled more than Rs 10 lakh in transactions each month. The financial trail is being studied to identify the people who allegedly benefited from the activity and to determine whether the transfers were directly connected to the exploitation of the minor.
The reported scale of the transactions has drawn investigators’ attention because the establishments were allegedly taken on rent for around Rs 30,000 a month. The difference between the reported rental cost and the suspected monthly turnover is one of the financial aspects being examined by the SIT.
Separately, the SIT conducted a search on Saturday at the house of a youth from Neyyar Dam who allegedly helped the girl escape from the spa and later took her with him. Investigators reportedly recovered information from the search, including material from the youth’s mobile phone.
The investigation is continuing into the alleged roles of the accused, the movement of money through bank accounts and the operation of the spas. The SIT is expected to use the financial and digital evidence to establish the alleged links between the establishments, the accused and the transactions under examination.
