Kovalam spa sexual abuse case: Thiruvananthapuram Corporation health inspector arrested

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A health inspector with the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has been arrested in connection with the sexual abuse of a 16-year-old girl at a spa in Kovalam. The arrested official, Anuroop, is the actual owner of the spa. He works as a health inspector at the Ulloor zonal office. Following his arrest, the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Mayor suspended him from service.

The investigation had earlier revealed that Dreams spa, where the minor worked, was allegedly owned by Anuroop and operated in the name of a benami. He had used Nishanth, a native of Poovar, as a front to run the establishment. Police had arrested Nishanth earlier.

The money transferred through the QR codes displayed at the spa was credited to Anuroop's bank account. Suspecting his involvement, police conducted an investigation over the past two days and collected technical evidence before arresting him.

Police also examined Nishanth's phone records. According to the police, amounts of up to Rs 25,000 were transferred from Nishanth to Anuroop's account on some days. Investigators are not fully convinced by Anuroop's claim that the spa began operations only three months ago. He is currently being questioned in police custody and is expected to be produced before a court later in the evening. Police suspect that more arrests will follow in the coming days.