A 41-year-old woman has accused the proprietors of a unisex salon in Mangaluru of forcing her to massage male clients and coercing her into sexual acts. Speaking to reporters on Friday alongside Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission member Prathibha Kulai, she said she had joined the salon as a beautician about 45 days ago.
According to her, on August 4, a male client pressured her to have sex, and when she refused, one of the owners allegedly slapped her. The woman claimed the owner forced her to remove her T-shirt, took photographs, and threatened her. She alleged that the salon routinely compelled female staff to engage in prostitution.
She further stated that she was blackmailed, prevented from making calls, and left mentally traumatised. She managed to escape when her nose began bleeding, sought medical treatment, and then approached Prathibha for support.
Prathibha alleged that the salon was operating under the guise of a beauty parlour while running a massage business that exploited women. She said the owners used the woman’s photographs to threaten her and vowed to pursue legal action if the police failed to act.
The woman has lodged a complaint with the Mangaluru City Police commissioner. Sources in Mangaluru City North police confirmed receiving the complaint and said an investigation is in progress.