After a Canadian citizen approached Vidhana Soudha Police Station and claimed sexual harassment, security and safety procedures in high-end hotel spas are being monitored. The woman, who was in the city for a musical concert, said she was touched inappropriately and subjected to indecent behavior during a massage session.
The Complainant's Allegations
The FIR said the victim made the incident while she was vulnerable in a session of therapy. The salient points of her allegation were:
- Inappropriate Touch: The woman said the male massage therapist behaved in an indecent manner and touched her inappropriately during the session.
- Privacy Violation: The woman also alleged that the therapist opened the door when she was changing, exposing her and humiliating her.
- Management's Reaction: From reported concern at the hotel, it is only later that the hotel staff took her complaint seriously, making only a partial refund to the complainant of Rs 7,000 (out of the Rs 10,000 paid) in addition to advising her not to continue reporting.
The denial from Hotel Director
The 5-star hotel has categorically denied the allegations. They called the incident a “failed extortion attempt” in a statement to the authorities. The woman allegedly demanded a large sum of money as payment after the session, and only approached the police after the hotel told the officers it would not pay.
Current Status of Investigation
The Bengaluru police had registered the case and are reviewing:
- CCTV Footage: Looking at the lobby and corridor footage, to corroborate the sequence of events and employees’ actions.
- Digital Evidence: Examining video calls and messages reportedly exchanged between the victim and hotel personnel in the aftermath of the incident.
- Witness Statements: The testimonies of the therapist and the spa manager.
The victim canceled her scheduled musical shows and has since left the city in response to the trauma. Police officials said they investigated “all possible angles,” including harassment allegations and the hotel’s counter-allegations of extortion.
