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Despite repeated warnings, some spas and massage centres continue to be allegedly involved in immoral activities, prostitution, and other unlawful acts.

Nearly three months ago, after three Thai women were arrested from a spa centre on the outskirts of Jammu city, the District Magistrate of Jammu had issued an order on February 11, 2026, to regulate the functioning of such establishments.

The District Magistrate issued a similar order on April 27, 2026, to ensure stricter regulation amid reports that illegal activities were still continuing. The order directed owners of spa and massage centres to submit an undertaking.

Under this directive, owners are required to furnish an affidavit stating that their establishments will not be involved in any immoral activity. All details, including ownership and operational information, must be submitted to the nearest police station.

Furthermore, cross-gender massages have been prohibited. "There will be provision of male masseurs for male clients and female masseurs for female clients," the order states. It further adds, "Spa or massage services shall not be provided behind locked doors, and every treatment room shall be devoid of any internal latches, bolts, or locking mechanisms."

The order also stipulates that no internal locks, latches, bolts, or locking mechanisms shall be installed in treatment rooms. Installation of CCTV cameras at entry points, reception areas, and common spaces—excluding private rooms—has been made mandatory, with a minimum recording retention period of 30 days.

Additionally, no centre shall operate before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM. No female employee shall use the premises as a residence or for a night stay. The supply or consumption of alcohol or any intoxicant within the premises has been strictly prohibited. All customers must produce valid identity proof, and a proper register containing their contact details must be maintained.

"Whereas it has been reported that several spas and massage centres are operating in the district of Jammu, and that some of these centres are allegedly being misused for immoral activities, prostitution, and other unlawful acts," the order states.

"Whereas such acts constitute grave offences under the relevant sections of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023," it adds. "If not regulated in a timely manner, such unlawful activities are likely to result in cognizable offences and disturbance of public order. Therefore, it is imperative for the district administration to ensure that these centres adhere to acceptable standards ofoperation."

Earlier, in February this year, two Thai women were detained from separate spa centres in Jammu in connection with alleged immoral and unethical activities. On December 28, 2025, police conducted a similar operation at a spa centre in Channi Himmat, where another Thai national was detained.

The spa owner, a resident of Kurukshetra, Haryana, was booked under FIR No. 237/2025 at Police Station Channi Himmat under Section 24 of the Immigration Act and Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for allegedly harbouring a foreign national without mandatory permission or prior intimation to the authorities.

The developments have also revived memories of a shocking incident last year. On August 21, 2025, Mehjabeen Sheikh (30), a resident of Mumbai, was shot dead at a spa centre on the outskirts of the city. She, along with her sister Fatima Akil (21) and Jaspreet Kour (28) from Ludhiana, sustained bullet injuries and was admitted to a private nursing home in Channi Himmat. Mehjabeen later succumbed to her injuries at Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu.

The case took a dramatic turn when it emerged that local police had allegedly attempted to pass off the bullet injuries as the result of a road accident. The matter was subsequently handed over to the Crime Branch, and three police officials were suspended for allegedly attempting to cover up the murder.