India, March 19 -- Amid growing concerns that spa centres are increasingly being used as fronts for prostitution and human trafficking, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday said it is preparing new guidelines to regulate such establishments, including making police approval mandatory before they can begin operations.

The issue was raised in the legislative council by BJP MLC Amit Gorkhe through a calling attention motion, in which he alleged that several illegal spas operating in cities such as Pune, Navi Mumbai and Thane were being used for flesh trade activities.

Minister of State for Home (Urban) Yogesh Kadam told the House that a committee has already been formed to draft regulations that will tighten oversight over spa centres a...