Kochi, Sept. 10 -- In a landmark judgment, the Kerala High Court has ruled that individuals who avail sexual services in brothels can be prosecuted under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITP Act). The Court held that payment for such services amounts to inducing prostitution, making clients active participants in exploitation rather than mere customers.

Delivering the verdict, Justice VG Arun observed that sex workers cannot be treated as commodities and emphasised that those seeking their services are complicit in perpetuating trafficking and coercion.

"A person utilising the service of a sex worker at a brothel cannot be termed a customer. Payment made is only an inducement compelling the sex worker to act against their wil...