IMMORAL TRAFFICKING GUIDELINES TO BE ISSUED BY THE STATE

In the case Nagaraj T vs. State of UT Chandigarh, the Punjab and Haryana High court stated to give directions to the regulate the spas and massage centres to curb the rise in the cases Immoral trafficking under Immoral Traffic Act

A bench of Justice Mahabir Singh has stated the order after noting the legal vacuum in this regard, with no rules, regulations or guidelines to govern the operation of such Spas and massage centres. Currently there are 71 spas centres operating within the UT of Chandigarh and from 2018 16 cases has been filed under the Immoral Traffic Act, the single bench has observed.

In continuation of the increase in such cases then court may direct the guidelines to the city also to curb the trafficking cases in the UT of Chandigarh. And in accordance with this scenario, Delhi Government has also frames guidelines to regulate the massage and spas centres. The Court stated while hearing the anticipatory bail plea filed by Nagaraj accused of running a brother under the guise of a spa by the name of ‘Ganga spa’. Nagaraj and other co-accused were charged under various section of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and Section 370 (trafficking for sexual exploitation) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.

During the police raid the individuals were seen in inappropriate and unclothed state in the spa, as stated in the FIR.It was alleged that the girls were brought from the Jalandhar for the massage but later were with false statement made in prostitution. The counsel for petitioner argued that the search was illegal since no respectable inhabitant of the locality was joined during the search.

The court then rejected to an anticipatory bail to the accused as the allegation made upon him are grave. Petitioners custodial interrogational need to be done to find out the true colors of.the activities, said the court 

Advocate Shakti Mehta represented petitioner whereas Advocate AM Punchh represented State.

Written by- Vedangi Kannav, College name –  Vivekanand College Of Law, Semester- V

https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/punjab-and-haryana-high-court-state-frame-guidelines-spas-massage-centres-curb-immoral-trafficking

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