Thiruvananthapuram: The special investigation team (SIT) probing the alleged sexual exploitation and trafficking of a 16-year-old girl at spas in Kovalam has arrested another accused, taking the total number of arrests in the case to eight.The arrested person has been identified as Kiran J Jiji (23), a native of Kidarakuzhi near CSI Church at Mulloor in Vizhinjam. The SIT took him into custody on Tuesday. He was subsequently produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody.According to investigators, Kiran allegedly assisted Sajith, the prime accused and operator of two spas in Kovalam, in bringing women to the establishments. Police suspect that Kiran had a role in facilitating the movement of women as part of the alleged human trafficking network linked to the spas. His alleged association with Sajith and involvement in bringing women to the establishments came to light during the investigation, following which the SIT traced and arrested him.The arrest comes amid an expanding investigation into the interstate network allegedly involved in trafficking women and girls to spas. Investigators are examining the links between spa operators, intermediaries and others suspected of facilitating the movement of victims.The case came to light after the girl’s maternal aunt lodged a missing-person complaint on Sept 21. The 16-year-old, a native of Andhra Pradesh, was subsequently traced and disclosed during counselling that she had been brought to spas in the Kovalam area and sexually exploited. Police found that documents had been used to misrepresent her age as 20.The initial arrests included spa operators Sajith Kumar (47) and Nishanth (46), followed by the girl’s maternal aunt and her husband. Corporation health inspector M O Anuroop and temporary health inspector V C Maya were subsequently arrested over their alleged links with the spa operations. Bengaluru-based intermediary Vani was the seventh person arrested in the case.The SIT is continuing its investigation into the alleged trafficking network, financial transactions and possible involvement of more people.
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