Aizawl: Mizoram Police have busted an alleged sex trafficking racket operating under the guise of a beauty salon and spa in Uttarakhand, rescuing five Mizo women, including two minors, from forced prostitution and exploitation. Six persons allegedly involved in the racket were arrested. Those arrested include the alleged kingpin and owner of the spa, a non-Mizo man, his Mizo wife, and her sister.
Complaint and Investigation
The case came to light after the All Women Police Station in Aizawl received an FIR from a Mizo woman on May 1, according to a press statement issued by the media cell of Mizoram Police. In her complaint, the woman stated that she and her friend had travelled to Rudrapur in Uttarakhand in October 2025 after being promised jobs at Beauty Queen Salon & Spa with a monthly salary of Rs 20,000. Their travel expenses were reportedly borne by the spa owner.
However, upon reaching the workplace, the women were allegedly told that they would have to provide sexual services. The FIR stated that they were forced to entertain three to nine customers daily and were allegedly made to consume alcohol and drugs against their will before attending to customers.
Exploitation and Escape
The victims further alleged that despite being forced into the flesh trade, they were never paid the promised salary. Instead, deductions were allegedly made in the name of repayment for travel, food, and accommodation expenses, leaving them with only Rs 500 per month in hand. The complainant also said that whenever the women attempted to quit, they were prevented from leaving, with the premises reportedly locked.
The victims, however, managed to flee on April 4, after breaking open the lock with a hammer and chisel. They reached Aizawl on April 7 and subsequently lodged the FIR.
Police Action and Rescue
Following the complaint, a case was registered at the All Women Police Station under various sections of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The sub-divisional police officer (SDPO), Aizawl South, was entrusted to investigate the case, while a special investigation team was also constituted for an intensive probe.
During the investigation, police learned that several other Mizo women were still trapped in the racket. Acting on the information, a joint team of Mizoram Police and officials from the Women and Child Development Department left for Rudrapur in Uttarakhand on May 4. On May 5, the team, assisted by Rudrapur police, raided Beauty Queen Salon & Spa and rescued the five Mizo women. The rescued women have been handed over to the Child Welfare Committee in Rudrapur.
