Spa Probe Widens; Jharsa Couple Held

GURUGRAM: What began as a late-night check on spa centres at Sapphire 90 Mall has widened into a probe into an alleged organised network, with police saying they have held a Jharsa resident named Sahil and his wife after leads from a woman questioned in Friday night's operation.

Investigators said preliminary inquiries suggest Sahil allegedly used websites, WhatsApp chats, paying-guest accommodations, guest houses and vehicles to facilitate the racket. Police are examining whether premises and vehicles linked to him were used to move or accommodate women, and whether the network extended beyond Gurugram. Officers said they are also looking at links with a circle of about 10 to 12 associates.

Sector 38 PG raid and Sadar case

Acting on fresh leads, police on Saturday night conducted a joint raid at a PG in Sector 38 under ACP Abhilaksh Joshi, the ITPA nodal officer, with Haryana State Commission for Women chairperson Usha Priyadarshini present. Thirteen men and eight women, including foreign nationals, were found at the premises and taken for questioning, police said.

ACP Joshi said physical evidence recovered at the Sector 38 premises pointed to alleged prostitution and related activities, with drug-related material also under examination. Immigration status and C-form compliance for the foreign nationals are being checked. A case is to be registered at Sadar police station under applicable provisions of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and the Foreigners Act.

One rescued woman told investigators she had allegedly been forcibly kept at a premises in Jharsa while she was a minor. Police stressed that this disclosure is under verification and that they are examining whether other women or minors were similarly confined. That claim has not been framed as a concluded finding.

The Sector 90 operation on Friday night had covered about 18 spa centres, with suspected illegal activity flagged at eight. Around 30 women and 20 men were found there and questioned. Officers said similar enforcement actions are likely to continue across the city as leads are developed.

Paying-guest clusters near employment hubs often sit outside the visibility of mall surveillance. When a spa raid yields a name and a phone trail, investigators routinely move next to PGs, guest houses and online listings. Residents of Sector 38 and Jharsa may see more checks of visitor registers and CCTV over the coming week. Allegations remain under investigation and subject to charges after evidence is weighed.

Neighbourhood associations in Jharsa and Sector 38 have asked police for clearer public advisories when foreign nationals are found during such raids, so that landlords understand C-form duties and so that panic does not spill onto lawful tenants. ACP Joshi indicated that raids of this pattern are likely to continue until the alleged syndicate map is clearer. Allegations remain under investigation.