Plea alleges sex trade in massage parlours, HC seeks police response

NEW DELHI : The Delhi high court on Tuesday sought the response of the lieutenant-governor (L-G) and the Delhi Police on a plea that alleged rampant illegal sex activities in the garb of massage parlours in the capital.

A bench of justice Rajendra Menon and justice V Kameswar Rao issued notice to the authorities on the petition filed by one Ateet Bansal who claimed he had made various representations to the police and other authorities but no action was taken.

The public interest litigation (PIL) filed through advocate Abhishek Yadav and Mishika Singh alleged that trafficking of young women and girls into sex rackets has become a common occurrence in Delhi.

“Most of these rackets are running in the garb of massage parlours, high-class model escort services in various hotels around Delhi-ncr. Most girls and women working in these parlours have come from countries such as Thailand and Russia,” the plea said.

The petitioner claimed that there were several advertisements of massage parlours, spas, etc., in leading newspapers.

In one instance, he said he was beaten up by a group of people when they called him to a certain place on the pretext on making him meet an escort.

“…the petitioner approached many authorities for remedial actions against these rampant acts of sex trade being publicised in the open in leading newspapers in the garb of massage parlours. But no action has been taken till date,” the plea said.

The plea sought immediate action to stop these massage parlours and initiate an inquiry into the matter.

It sought a status report by the authorities indicating the number of massage parlours and spas operating in the capital.

The court fixed the matter to November 27.