A beauty parlour in Patna. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, Feb. 27: Beauty can be deceitful and beauty parlours can be dens of vice.

In an attempt to “purify” male beauty parlours in the city, cops are all set to carry out raids at these institutions that are fast turning into centres of prostitution, said a police officer.

Senior police officers of the state capital today decided to draw up a list of the parlours under scanner. A foolproof plan was being drawn up to raid the parlours and stop illegal activities.

The police action was prompted by an employee of Apran Gents’ Beauty Parlour on Exhibition Road, who lodged a complaint with the Gandhi Maidan police station about being molested by customers at the parlour.

What the police team, that raided the parlour, found has made the men-in-uniform sit up and take notice.

“The scene inside the beauty parlour was shocking. There were secret rooms with beds and other facilities,” a police officer told The Telegraph.

He added: “We had information about flesh trade at a number of parlours. But now all that will be stopped. Action will be taken in this regard.”

At present a list of such parlours is being drawn up.

“The list will have names not only of the parlours under the scanner. It will record all the beauty parlours of the city — for men or women. Surprise and simultaneous raids would be conducted,” the officer added.

Patna senior superintendent of police Alok Kumar said the cops had information about shady activities being carried on from the premises of cyber cafes and beauty parlours of the state capital. The cops were planning strict action to check the menace.

“We have information about this and are working to check it. Strong steps will be taken to stop shady activities,” said Kumar.

Another senior police officer said often the policemen were often hand-in-glove with the owners of such beauty parlours. The cops were paid handsome bribes to not crackdown on these businesses.

“It is true that some policemen have been taking money and allowing such activities to go on,” said an officer, preferring anonymity.

He added: “A fixed sum of money is delivered to these officers every month. In turn no raids or checks are conducted at these establishments.

“In case a raid is planned, the cops inform the owners of the parlours,” he said.

Keeping this into account the police are planning surprise raids. A special team of select officer will conduct these raids. The senior cops are hoping the element of surprise will help them check the shady activities. “The local police station will be informed once the raid has taken place,” the officer said.

Former city superintendent of police Manu Maharaj had said the cops were planning to seek help from the anti human trafficking cell of the CID to carry out these raids.

“We do not want the plan to fail. Many of these parlours operate in connivance with the local police stations, which take commission from them. The police is contemplating taking help from CID to carry out the raids,” said Maharaj, now the superintendent of police of Rohtas.

A source explained the modus operandi of these parlours. A customer has to pay Rs 300 for a chest massage. There are secret entrances, from which a consenting customer can enter a small room where the women usually wait. The women have to be paid anything between Rs 600 and Rs 1,000.

Some of the women employed by the parlours are from the city, while others come from the districts.