SHILLONG, Feb 13: Police have arrested one Raju Barua, the owner of Muscle Blaster Gym at Thana Road, for allegedly molesting a 19-year-old female staff on February 10.
The arrest was made on the same day the 19-year-old filed a complaint with Sadar Police Station.
Speaking to reporters here, she said the accused had called her inside his cabin at the gym while stating that she needed an oil massage to burn her body fats.
According to her, the accused molested her when she refused the oil massage.
It was after this when the accused was washing his hands, she managed to escape.
The 19-year-old also alleged that there is pressure from the family members, especially the wife, of the accused for a compromise.
“I don’t want to compromise since I am not the only one, since there are many girls who were sexually assaulted by the owner of the gym,” she said, informing that she had joined the gym only three days before the incident came to pass.
The victim was, meanwhile, taken for a medical examination at Ganesh Das Hospital on Monday.
It may be recalled that Barua was arrested in 2012 for his alleged involvement in a prostitution racket.
Based on specific information about the sexual racket in Galaxy Hotel, a special Meghalaya Police team in 2012 had raided the hotel owned by Barua, finding seven women and three men behaving suspiciously.
Meanwhile, after the allegations came to light, the members of KSU Shillong Mihngi Circle on Monday locked the gym down and expressed their condemnation.
Talking to media persons, KSU Shillong Mihngi Circle vice president Alquiz Kharbani demanded that Baruah be punished as per law.
Informing that they will continue to follow up the case until the accused is punished, Kharbani warned other gym owners against such activities.
Arguing that gyms should only be meant only for physical fitness and training, he said the gym owners should take all precautions on the safety and security of female members.
