Canadian Woman Alleges Sexual Harassment During Spa Session at Bengaluru Hotel; Management Denies Claims, Calls It Extortion Attempt
Visitor files police complaint alleging therapist’s misconduct and improper conduct during massage; hotel disputes allegations and refunds partial payment as controversy unfolds
BENGALURU – A Canadian woman has filed a sexual harassment complaint with Bengaluru Police alleging misconduct by a massage therapist at a prominent hotel in the city, sparking a dispute as the hotel management has categorically denied the allegations and labeled them as an extortion attempt.
According to the complaint filed by the Canadian national, the therapist was misbehaving during the massage, and when she was changing out of her clothes, the therapist opened the door, leaving her exposed and caught off guard. The woman stated that the incident occurred during a massage session for which she had paid Rs 10,000.
The complainant alleges that the therapist’s conduct made her extremely uncomfortable during the session at the hotel’s spa facility. Following the alleged incident, she immediately approached the hotel management to report the matter.
However, according to her complaint, the hotel management failed to take her concerns seriously. The management tried to suppress the incident by refunding Rs 7,000 to the woman, offering the partial refund instead of conducting a thorough investigation into her allegations.
The hotel management has strongly refuted all allegations made by the Canadian visitor. In their statement, hotel authorities characterized the complaint as an extortion attempt and denied any wrongdoing on the part of their staff. The management’s counter-narrative has added another layer of complexity to the case.
Bengaluru Police have confirmed that they are investigating the matter and examining evidence from both parties. The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the hospitality industry in addressing guest complaints while protecting staff from false accusations.
The incident has reignited discussions about safety protocols in spa and wellness facilities at hotels, particularly regarding privacy measures and professional conduct standards for massage therapists. Industry experts suggest that hotels need robust grievance redressal mechanisms and clear standard operating procedures to handle such sensitive complaints.
The Canadian woman’s complaint comes at a time when tourism in Bengaluru has been growing, with international visitors increasingly frequenting the city’s hotels and wellness facilities. The outcome of this investigation could have implications for how such complaints are handled in the hospitality sector.
Police officials have stated that they are treating the matter seriously and will conduct a fair and thorough investigation before drawing any conclusions. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not yet disclosed whether any arrests have been made or formal charges filed.
