Over 5,000 ‘spas’ in city but MCDs claim only 498: DCW

Women’s panel had busted alleged sex-rackets in ‘massage parlours’

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Saturday said there are more than 5,000 spas operating in Delhi, whereas the three municipal bodies claim there are only 498 spas.

The women’s panel had issued a notice to a search engine seeking information related to the registration of spa centres on their portal.

In its reply, the portal said there are more than 5,000 spas operating in Delhi.

The panel said that the three civic bodies — East Delhi Municipal Corporation, South Delhi Municipal Corporation, and North Delhi Municipal Corporation — claim there are only 498

The DCW had con- ducted inspection of spa centres across Delhi and busted alleged sex rackets operating in these centres. It said it had been informed that several advertisements of spa and massage centres on a website.

spas.

The South MCD has informed that 297 spas are operating in its zone, the North MCD said 127 spas are operating in its zone, and the East MCD said 60 spas are operating in its zone.

The DCW had conducted inspection of spa centres across Delhi and busted

The panel instituted an inquiry in the matter of illegal spas flourishing in the national capital and running prostitution rackets, it said. The women’s panel, thereafter, sought the details of all the spas listed on the portal.

alleged sex rackets operating in these centres.

It said it had been informed that several advertisements of spa and massage centres are available on the website, which was subsequently issued a notice.

The panel instituted an inquiry in the matter of illegal spas flourishing in the national capital and running prostitution rackets, it said.

The DCW, thereafter, sought the details of all the spas listed on the portal.

In a letter to the commission, the search engine informed the panel that more than 5,000 spa and massage centres are listed in Delhi.

While the company has informed the approximate number of spas operating in the national capital, it has sought six weeks’ time to collate the data, the panel said.

The search engine also stated that they are checking their internal policies and taking necessary approvals for providing the data as it may include “sensitive personal information,” the panel said.