Karnataka: Right-wing activists vandalise Mangaluru massage parlour over alleged illegal activities, 14 arrested

In a video captured by activists, the group is seen threatening and verbally abusing the women staffers.

Published on: Jan 24, 2025, 08:58:03 IST

By HT News Desk | Edited by Anagha Deshpande

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A group of youths belonging to a fringe outfit, Rama Sene, vandalised a massage parlour at Bejai, an uptown in Mangaluru, the district headquarters town of Dakshina Kannada district, on Thursday.

About a dozen people barged into the massage parlour and started attacking the staff, including women.

They damaged the properties inside the shop and allegedly accused the staff of indulging in 'unethical practices' in the name of a unisex saloon.

In a video captured by activists, the group is seen threatening and verbally abusing the women staffers, accusing them of engaging in immoral activities. They claimed to have found condoms inside the salon and called for the authorities to take action, demanding the closure of all massage parlours in the city.

(Also Read: Karnataka woman tortures 4-year-old stepdaughter to death, arrested: Report)

Watch the video here:

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, who was in Udupi, the neighbouring district of Dakshina Kannada, condemned the attack and ordered police to investigate the case.

"Nobody should take the law into their hands. Everybody has the right to run an organistion within the ambit of law. If there was any complaint, they should take the help of the police," he said according to PTI.

The police have arrested 14 accused and are investigating.

Prasad Attavar, leader of Ram Sene said, "We have been informed that unethical activities were promoted there under the guise of unisex saloon. The women were given drugs and pushed into the sex business."

According to a police statement, based on a complaint filed by the salon owner, Sudheer Shetty, an FIR was registered at the Barke Police Station under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

"During the investigation, it was found that members of a certain organisation were involved in the incident. A total of 14 accused have been arrested in relation to this case," it stated, and added that specific roles of each individual along with the involvement of any others are being further verified, police said.

(Also Read: Black magic protest over job cuts in Karnataka, dolls and lemons found outside KMF office in Bellary: Report)

(With PTI inputs)

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