Kovalam spa case takes shocking turn: Manager also allegedly raped 16-year-old

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sajith, the manager of a spa in Kovalam, also sexually assaulted the 16-year-old girl involved in the Kovalam spa sexual assault case, police have found. A witness statement indicates that Sajith brutally assaulted and sexually abused the girl. Police will take both Sajith and spa owner Anuroop into custody today.

Police had earlier received information about Sajith's links with an international sex racket. Some of those arrested in the case had reportedly told investigators that the girl was brought to the spa at Sajith's request. Police began investigating whether the spa operators had also sexually abused the girl after confirming Sajith's close association with Vani, a Bengaluru native arrested for her alleged role as an intermediary in the interstate sex racket.

Witness statements received by the police indicate that Sajith sexually assaulted the girl several times and subjected her to brutal physical abuse. There are also reports that the girl was exploited at the spa through threats and intimidation. Based on these findings, police have decided to take Sajith and spa owner Anuroop into custody for questioning.

The police investigation is continuing to establish how many people who visited the spa had assaulted the girl. Meanwhile, municipal authorities will send a letter to the state government this week seeking the dismissal of Anuroop, who previously served as a health inspector in the municipality.