Police in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, have apprehended five individuals, including a gym owner, following allegations of forced religious conversion, sexual exploitation, and extortion. The arrests came after two young women reported being lured into friendship and fitness training, only to face coercion and abuse. One of the accused, Farid, engaged in a police encounter, resulting in his arrest after sustaining a leg injury.
The case is linked to a gym in Mirzapur’s Sadar Tehsil Colony, where a group allegedly conducted religious conversion, blackmail, and extortion under the guise of fitness centers. The accused reportedly befriended women at the gym, coerced them into converting to another religion, sexually exploited them, and extorted money while using threats to keep them silent. Police have arrested four individuals, including the gym owner, and sealed the gyms for evidence preservation.
Authorities have filed cases against seven accused, including gym owners and trainers, for sexual exploitation, extortion, and forced religious conversion of female gym-goers. The investigation revealed a hidden operation in the Sadar Tehsil Colony area. Swift action was taken following complaints by the victims, leading to the arrest of multiple suspects and the formation of special investigation teams.
Mobile phones, digital data, and other evidence obtained during interrogations led to the arrest of additional suspects associated with the gyms. The gyms, including KGN-01 owned by Zahir, were sealed to prevent evidence tampering. The police have emphasized the seriousness of the complaints and assured a thorough investigation with strict legal action against all involved parties.
