Police have arrested three spa operators in Nepalgunj for allegedly employing underage girls in violation of the law.
According to the District Police Office, Banke, the arrests were made during an investigation launched after police received information that minors were being illegally employed at spas operating in different parts of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City.
A police team was deployed to monitor and investigate several spas following the reports.
Police said they arrested Gudiya Khan, an Indian national and operator of New Pleasure Spa in Adarshanagar, Nepalgunj-10. Also arrested were Durga Tharu, operator of A.A. Ayurvedic Relax Spa in Nepalgunj-2, and Tark Raj Devkota, operator of Relax Spa in the same ward’s New Road area.
According to police, the operators had employed girls of different ages at their spas in violation of the law. Police also said they rescued several girls from the spas.
The rescued girls are being provided protection, while necessary legal and welfare procedures are being initiated, police said. Authorities said employing children in circumstances prohibited by law is illegal and that investigations are underway against those involved.
The three suspects were presented before the Banke District Court for legal proceedings. The court has granted additional remand under the Children’s Act, 2018, allowing police to continue their investigation.
Police said they have stepped up surveillance against the employment of children, concealment of their ages and attempts to lure minors into work through financial or other incentives.
The District Police Office has urged the public to report any incidents involving the illegal employment of children, stressing that protecting children’s rights to education, healthcare, safety and a secure environment is a shared responsibility of the state and society.
The illegal employment of minors in spas and other service sectors has increasingly come under scrutiny from police and labour authorities in recent years. Child labour laws prohibit employing children in hazardous work or occupations restricted by law.
Police said the investigation into the latest case is continuing and that further details are expected to emerge. Authorities are also investigating the condition of the rescued girls and other aspects of the case.
