Punjab and Haryana High Court: In a writ petition filed by several petitioners seeking directions against police interference in the operation of their beauty parlours, massage and spa centres, a Single Judge Bench of Kuldeep Tiwari, J., disposed the petition, noting that prostitution rackets were being run under the garb of such centres and directed the State to frame guidelines/policy regulating the operations of spa and massage centres within three months.
Background
The petitioners, who operate beauty parlours, massage, and spa centres in Jalandhar, Punjab, approached the Court for directions upon the police authorities against interference in the petitioners’ business activities and peaceful functioning of their massage and spa centres.
The State contended that some miscreants were running prostitution rackets and were involved in immoral/human trafficking under the garb of operating spa and massage centres. Consequent to the busting of such prostitution rackets, various FIRs were lodged in Jalandhar. It was further contended that two of the petitioners were involved in these aforesaid FIRs.
Analysis and Decision
Opining that prima facie such kind of rackets were operating in the entire State, the Court stated that it was of dire significance for Punjab to prevent the massage and spa centres from becoming havens of illegal activities and prostitution and prevent the exploitation of gullible women by owners/managers of such centres. The Court added that this menace could only be curbed through the framing of apt guidelines/policies regulating the operation of the spa and massage centres.
The Court stated that previously in Nagaraj T. v. UT, Chandigarh 2023 SCC OnLine P&H 1193, a co-ordinate bench took cognizance of the growing illegal activities of immoral/human trafficking in Chandigarh and directed the authorities to frame guidelines on the same pedestal as those framed by Delhi. Such guidelines were also framed by the State of Haryana.
Although the petitioners contended that their grievance was redressed and they did not want to press the present writ petition, considering the gravity of the issue and the welfare of the women working in these centres, the Court directed Punjab to consider this writ petition as a representation and frame guidelines/policy regulating the operations of spa and massage centres within the State. The Court stated that this exercise shall be completed within three months, and a status report shall be filed after compliance with the directions.
Accordingly, the writ petition was disposed of.
[Sabnam Khatun v. State of Punjab, CWP No. 28707 of 2024, decided on 07-04-2025]
Advocates who appeared in this case :
For the petitioners: Deepak Singh Saini and Parul Saini
For the respondent: DAG of Punjab Pardeep Bajaj
