Six arrested, five fitness centres sealed as probe reveals blackmail, exploitation and religious coercion of Hindu women
Mirzapur/Varanasi:
A disturbing racket allegedly involving blackmail, sexual exploitation and forced religious conversion under the cover of fitness centres has been unearthed in Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur district, leading to the arrest of six accused, including gym owners and trainers, and the sealing of at least five gyms.
The action followed complaints by two women who approached police alleging that gym trainers and operators developed relationships with them, secretly recorded intimate moments and later used the material to extort money and coerce them into religious conversion. Based on their FIRs, Mirzapur police launched a multi-team investigation that exposed what officials believe could be a wider network targeting vulnerable women.
Police arrested four accused earlier this week — Mohammad Sheikh Ali Alam, Faizal Khan, Zaheer and Shadab — all in the 30–40 age group. Investigations revealed that Zaheer owned one of the gyms in the Khwaja Garib Nawaz (KGN) chain, while the others were trainers or frequent associates. Following their arrest, police sealed KGN-1, KGN-2, KGN-3, Iron Fire and another gym allegedly used as fronts for the illegal activities.
According to police officials, the accused allegedly befriended women during gym sessions, lured them into relationships, and later blackmailed them using objectionable photos and videos. One complainant alleged that she was forced to wear a burqa, offer namaz at home, taken to a dargah and pressured to recite religious verses for conversion. She also claimed monetary extortion and threats of violence if she resisted.
As the probe widened, police tracked the alleged kingpin, Farid Ahmad (28), a gym owner and firearms trainer, who had gone into hiding. Acting on a tip-off, Dehat Kotwali police and the Special Operations Group cornered him near the Khadanja Fall area. Police said Ahmad opened fire while attempting to flee and was injured in retaliatory action. A firearm, cartridges and a mobile phone were recovered from him. He was later hospitalised and placed under arrest. Another accused, Irshad Khan (40), was also arrested on similar charges later the same day.
Senior police officers said call detail records, financial transactions and sources of income of the accused were being scrutinised, particularly as several trainers earning modest salaries were found using high-end smartphones and wearing expensive branded apparel. Investigators are also examining whether other women were targeted but hesitated to come forward.
Reacting to the developments, Mirzapur BJP MLA Ratnakar Mishra welcomed the police action, asserting that misuse of gyms for illegal religious conversion would not be tolerated. “In Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s government, such activities will be dealt with strictly,” he said.
Police officials indicated that more arrests could follow as the investigation continues to uncover possible links between multiple gym-based rackets operating in the district.
