Operation Spa inspects 586 of Kerala's 821 spas, registers 14 cases and serves notices on 44 establishments

18 October 2026

Kerala Police carried out a statewide drive named Operation Spa against spas working without proper authorisation. Of the 821 registered spas in the state, 586 were inspected, 14 cases were registered and five people were arrested. Notices were served on 44 establishments, mainly for inadequate documentation. Kozhikode City accounted for four cases and four arrests, with 70 of its 87 spas inspected, while 71 of 78 spas in Malappuram, 56 of 58 in Thrissur City and 55 of 71 in Palakkad were also checked. The drive was ordered by Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) P Vijayan. Eight people brought to spas through human trafficking were identified, and a nine-member special investigation team drawn from the Crime Branch and the Narcotics Cell is examining the cases.