Mangaluru: A disturbing case of exploitation has emerged in Mangaluru, where a woman working at a beauty parlor has come forward with serious allegations of physical assault, nude video blackmail, and mental harassment.
In a press conference held at the city’s Press Club, the victim, a trained beautician, claimed she joined a unisex beauty parlor between Hampanakatte and Jyoti Circle about 1.5 months ago. Initially told to be “friendly” with clients and allowed to earn tips between ₹500 and ₹1000, she alleges the parlor was secretly running a massage racket under the guise of a beauty salon.
The situation worsened when a male customer, whom she knew, recorded a conversation and handed it over to the parlor owner. What followed was deeply traumatic: the owner’s wife allegedly attacked her, verbally abused her, and recorded a nude video of the victim. The next day, the video was shown to her husband, pushing the woman into a state of suicidal distress, especially with a 3-year-old child to care for.
She sought help from Pratibha Kulai, a member of the State Backward Classes Commission, and filed a complaint at the Port Police Station. However, no FIR has been registered yet.
Kulai confirmed that other women employees are also being blackmailed and silenced, forced into providing services under threat. “No woman should go through this. This is a case of organized exploitation,” said Kulai.
Authorities are being urged to take swift action, ensure justice for the victim, and prevent further abuse.