The Jammu administration on Thursday (February 12, 2026) banned “cross-gender massaging” and barred bolting of massage spaces from inside, invoking Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, a law that deals with addressing the issues of nuisance or apprehended danger.
“Cross-gender massage shall not be permitted. There shall be provision of male masseurs for massage of males and female masseurs (masseuse) for massage of females only,” reads the order issued by Dr. Rakesh Minhas, Jammu magistrate.
The order stipulated that “no internal locks, latches, bolts or locking mechanisms” shall be installed in treatment rooms. “Spa or massage services shall not be provided behind locked doors. Installation of CCTV cameras at entry points, reception areas and common areas, excluding private rooms, has been made mandatory with a minimum recording retention period of thirty days,” the order reads.
The order has been promulgated in view of reports that “certain spa and massage centres operating in Jammu district” were allegedly being used for immoral activities, prostitution and other unlawful acts”.
“Thereby posing a threat to public order and safety,” it added.
