Sex racket busted at lodge in Kerala’s Kasaragod

The police have registered a case after busting a sex racket operating from a lodge reportedly linked to a Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] local committee member. Six women from other States were rescued during a surprise raid conducted by the Chandera police at a lodge in Kasaragod on Monday night (November 17, 2025).

The lodge owner and the woman managing the establishment have been booked. Three men from Kannur and Kasaragod districts who were present in the lodge at the time of the raid were also taken into custody.

Acting on specific information, the raid was carried out around 7.30 p.m. on the direction of Kanhangad DySP Suresh Babu.

The police alleged that the lodge was being used for commercial sexual exploitation with the knowledge and support of owner Muhammad Assainar, who reportedly facilitated the activities for financial gain. The investigation team reported that Naseema, 47, from the Adhur police station limits, who handled the day-to-day running of the lodge, was allegedly involved in bringing women and coordinating the operations.

During the inspection, the police took six women and three men into custody. Documents including the lodge register and visitor book were seized and a notice under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was issued to Naseema.

A case was registered by the Chandera police under sections of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act based on a suo motu complaint filed by Inspector Prashanth. The DySP said the investigation is progressing and mobile phones and other records are being examined to identify further links.

Meanwhile, lodge owner Assainar told the media that he had leased the lodge to Naseema for a year and had no involvement in the illegal activities. He claimed that he was being targeted for political reason as he is a member of the CPI(M)’s Thuruthi local committee. He said the manager had falsely claimed to be his wife and denied any such relationship. He added that the agreement had been made in Naseema’s name and that the police had not yet contacted him regarding the case.