Kochi, October 21, 2026 – Kerala Police have warned registered Ayurveda practitioners against permitting spas and massage centers to use their names and medical registrations without any actual professional involvement, saying that doctors found to have abetted illegal activities could be criminalised as co-accused.
Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) P. Vijayan issued the warning in the wake of a statewide probe into alleged illegal activities at spas and wellness centers. Police said they came across cases where names and registrations of doctors were allegedly displayed at several establishments, but the doctors did not visit or supervise the centers.
Police are investigating whether medical credentials were used to secure approvals for establishments operating without proper medical oversight. The officials have warned that legal action could also be taken against those found to be involved in the abetting of criminal activities.
Medical Title Abuse Under Fire
Listing the name or credentials of a licensed practitioner may give the impression that the spa is operating under the supervision of qualified medical personnel. However, police investigations have uncovered instances where doctors’ registrations have allegedly been used to underpin the operation of a number of outlets without regular professional oversight.
Authorities have warned that lending a medical registration to an establishment without ensuring that there is appropriate supervision could expose practitioners to serious legal consequences, especially where evidence establishes their involvement in unlawful activities. The warning stresses the need for professional accountability and for there to be clarity in the use of a doctor’s credentials to ensure that it reflects their role in an establishment.
Statewide inspections after serious criminal cases
The police action follows serious allegations against the spa and massage-centre businesses in Kochi and Kovalam.
In a case, a young woman, who was allegedly looking for a job, was allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted after being called for a job interview at an Ayurvedic spa at Edappally.
In another case, a 16-year-old girl from Andhra Pradesh was allegedly trafficked and forced to work at massage centers where she was allegedly sexually assaulted.
These incidents led the police to increase surveillance of spas and wellness centers in Kerala. The allegations are still before the courts and are being investigated.
Kerala Spa Operation: Enforcement Drive Intensifies
As part of the larger enforcement drive, police inspected around 180 spas in the first phase of the operation, according to the October 21 report.
In that phase, the inspections resulted in about 14 cases being registered and five people arrested. The operation is intended to identify establishments allegedly involved in illegal activities and to verify compliance with regulatory requirements.
Earlier reports on the statewide drive said authorities were checking licences and other paperwork at spa establishments. The inspections are part of bigger efforts to tackle alleged exploitation and other illicit activities operating under the guise of wellness services.
Protecting Ayurveda’s Professional Credibility
Ayurveda is often linked with Kerala, which has a strong presence in the state’s healthcare and wellness industries. Police officials fear that such illegal establishments could ruin the image of genuine Ayurvedic practitioners and treatment centers.
For registered practitioners, it is more than regulatory compliance. Medical credentials carry professional responsibilities, and the commercial use of such credentials should accurately reflect the practitioner’s involvement and the standards of care being provided.
Authentic Ayurveda institutions depend upon qualified persons, suitable clinical supervision and adherence to applicable rules. Misuse of medical registrations can erode public trust and blur the line between genuine Ayurvedic treatment centers and those functioning as businesses without appropriate professional oversight. Practitioners should ensure any connection to a spa or wellness center is transparent, well documented and in line with professional and regulatory requirements that apply. Where medical supervision is required, it must be substantive, not merely nominal.
At the same time, the basis for criminal liability should be established on evidence and applicable law. The mere presence of a practitioner’s name at a facility is not sufficient to establish criminal activity. The developments have brought the focus back to the need for effective oversight of spas and massage centers using the Ayurveda name.
In the Ayurveda sector, concerted action by law enforcement agencies, regulatory authorities, professional associations and practitioners will be required to protect professional standards and public trust.
**Source:** Reporting the Kerala Police caution by Onmanorama
