Kovalam spa abuse case: Kerala Police expand SIT; TN Police team reaches Keralam to probe sexual exploitation

The investigation into the alleged sexual exploitation and trafficking of a 16-year-old girl at a spa in Kovalam here has widened into a multi-State criminal probe.

A team from the Tamil Nadu Police has arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on account of the registration of a Zero First Information Report (FIR) by the Kerala Police.

According to the survivor’s statement, she was taken from Andhra Pradesh to Bengaluru and then to Chennai before being brought to Keralam. In view of the disclosure, the Kerala Police registered an initial case at the Kovalam police station, followed by a second one that was subsequently transferred to Tamil Nadu, leading the Vandalur All-Women police station to commence its probe.

Permission sought

Official sources point out that the Tamil Nadu Police officials are also seeking permission from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to take the minor girl to Tamil Nadu for further investigation, including a site inspection at a spa where she was allegedly sexually abused in Chennai.

Meanwhile, the investigation team of the Kerala Police has been expanded to intensify the ongoing probe. Considering the emergence of connections across multiple States, the team, which initially comprised eight members, has been expanded to 14 officers.

Thiruvananthapuram City police control room Assistant Commissioner C. Chandrakumar has been appointed the new investigating officer, while Inspector General, South Zone, R. Nishanthini will continue to oversee the probe.

The investigators are likely to extend the probe to Andhra Pradesh, where a police team is expected to examine records connected to the survivor’s background. The police intend to visit the school she attended and also record her sister’s statement, official sources said.

More evidence

Meanwhile, the investigation team continued to gather more evidence against M.O. Anuroop, a health inspector of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, who has been arrested in connection with the case.

The police suspect that Anuroop is the actual owner of the spa that was allegedly operated through a benami arrangement. The rental agreement for the establishment was purportedly in the name of another accused, Nishanth, while evidence reportedly points to Anuroop’s financial control over the business.

He is also suspected to have links to a few other spas in places, including Vizhinjam and Pozhiyoor. Probes are under way into the activities of these outlets. The accused was suspended by the city Corporation following his arrest. Besides, the civic body is considering his dismissal in view of the grave findings against him.