Flesh trade racket busted, 16 women among 24 held

With the arrest of 24 persons, 16 women and eight men, the Patiala police claimed to have busted an immoral trafficking racket being operated in the garb of two spa centres near market located close to Punjabi University.

Harjinder Singh Dhillon, in-charge of Special Cell, said out of the 16 women, who have been arrested, eight are said to be from a southeast Asian country. However, the veracity of their claim was being verified, added Dhillon.

“We had carried out the raid yesterday following inputs that immoral trafficking was being done in the garb of a spa centre. Similar raids will be carried out in other parts of the city,” said Dhillon.

The spas were being operated by Jatinder Singh and Karamjit Singh and the duo has been booked. The accused were presented before the court today.

Amandeep Singh, inspector Urban Estate police station, said a case under Section 3,4,5 and 7 of the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act was registered against the accused. The spa centre was being operated under the name of ARK and Sunshine Spa Centre near Punjabi University Patiala.