Accused Mohammad Arman with many girls who were trapped by him and his gang
In the Amravati city of Maharashtra, a disturbing case involving sex video recordings and the systematic trapping of minor girls has come to light. The incident has triggered widespread outrage due to the scale of the crime and the age of the victims involved.
The accused in the case has been identified as Mohammad Ayan, alias Tanveer, a resident of Paratwada city. Apart from him, at least five more accused have been identified, namely, Mohammad Shahad, Iqbal, Tabrez, Ujer (Uziar) Khan and Faiz Saber Khan. All these accused are from the Achalpur locality.
According to the information that has emerged so far, the accused allegedly operated in groups and specifically targeted girls from Hindu, Sikh, and Matang communities, as well as Christian girls. It is notable that a lot of videos and pictures of the accused are found with their faces covered with a hijab and burqa. If these girls are Muslims it is yet to be identified, or the Hindu girls were made to wear them is still under investigation.
It is alleged that the accused collectively trapped over 300 minor girls aged 15, 16, and 17 years and created more than 180 obscene videos. Reports suggest that many videos were deleted or erased, yet a significant number remain in possession.
Sources close to the case told Organiser about the modus operandi followed by the accused. As per these sources, the accused took admissions in major medical coaching centres in Amravati, including Future Hunt and Aakash. These coaching institutes occasionally host cultural events where students from different schools interact.
During such interactions, the accused would befriend girls studying in Classes 10, 11, and 12. After gaining their trust, they would create groups on Snapchat and Telegram. These groups were allegedly named in Urdu and contained Islamic-themed content. The accused would also tell the girls how Isam is superior to their resligions and they must become Muslims.
The girls were gradually drawn into closer contact. They were taken to cafes and other public places, given expensive gifts, and later taken to costly hotel rooms in the city. It was at these locations that the accused allegedly recorded videos of their sexual activities.
After recording these videos, the accused would begin blackmailing the victims. They demanded money, often in lakhs. If the victims failed to comply, further coercion followed.
It is pertinent to note that Ayan, the mastermind in the case, is only 19 years old, and his father runs an automobile shop. Despite this background, he and his associates managed to trap a large number of girls.
Collectively, the group is accused of targeting victims in the hundreds.
Another aspect that has come to light is Ayan’s alleged affiliation with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM). It is claimed that he used to handle the social media page of the party at the city level.
This information becomes significant as Ayan was also linked with a local group known as the “Barood Gang.” This group is said to be active in the region and reportedly involved in illegal sand mining and beef trading. It is alleged that money generated from these activities was used to fund operations like those carried out by Ayan and his associates.
In return, Ayan allegedly supplied girls to members of this group. According to sources, girls who refused to pay money or comply with demands were given a condition: their videos would be deleted only if they agreed to go with individuals chosen by the accused.
Sources further told Organiser that such girls were allegedly supplied to members of the Barood Gang and possibly to certain party workers as well. These claims are part of the ongoing investigation.
It is also important to note that the victims were not limited to Paratwada in Amravati. Girls from Nagpur and nearby tribal areas around Paratwada have also been identified, indicating that the network extended beyond a single locality.
Ayan was detained by the Amravati Rural Police after a tip-off led investigators to his activities in the Paratwada area. A case has been registered against him under Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, along with relevant provisions of the POCSO Act and the Information Technology Act, 2000.
He has been remanded to police custody until April 21, 2026. Authorities have seized his mobile phone and recovered several objectionable videos. Forensic teams are currently working to retrieve additional deleted data.
Police investigations indicate that Ayan allegedly befriended multiple girls, gained their trust, and lured them into relationships. He is suspected of sexually exploiting victims and recording videos without their consent, which were later used for intimidation and blackmail.
While initial claims suggested a much larger number of victims, officials have so far confirmed eight victims. However, they have indicated that this number may rise as more individuals come forward.
Amravati Rural Superintendent of Police Vishal Anand Singuri stated that efforts are ongoing to identify all victims appearing in the videos and to determine how many such clips were created beyond those already discovered.
Authorities are also investigating whether a larger organised network is involved in the production or distribution of these videos. Sources told Organiser that, Ayan and gang had been selling these videos.
To support survivors, the police have set up special contact mechanisms facilitated by female officers. Officials have assured that the identities of victims will be kept strictly confidential, emphasising that revealing such identities is a punishable offence.
In a latest development, police have arrested a second accused, identified as Ujer Khan Iqbal Khan. He is alleged to have played a major role in spreading the crime by downloading objectionable videos from Ayan’s mobile phone and circulating them on social media.
Police said that around 100 videos were circulated online, which significantly escalated the situation and led to widespread outrage across Maharashtra.
The second accused has been taken into custody and produced before the court. Police are expected to seek Police Custody Remand (PCR) to further investigate the network, the origin of the videos, and the extent of their dissemination.
Investigators believe that his interrogation could reveal crucial links, including whether other individuals were involved in producing or distributing such content.
The case has also taken a political turn, with allegations linking the accused to the AIMIM, led by Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi.
BJP leaders have alleged that the accused had connections with the party and was involved in handling its social media activities during local elections.
In response, a local AIMIM representative stated that the individual is no longer associated with the party, although he may have had links in the past.
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya strongly condemned the incident and demanded strict action against the accused, along with the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
He stated: “Amravati SEX scam Aiyan Mohammad & Gang has exploited, raped dozens of young girls of 16 & 17 years, going to coaching classes for 11 & 12 standard. Girls from Paratwada, Achalpur, Amravati, Nagpur were blackmailed. I talked to police officials, MLA Pravin Tayade, and MP Anil Bonde. I have requested CM Dev Fadnavis to appoint SIT.”
VHP has also given a memorandum to the administration demanding action in the matter.
Authorities also initiated demolition action on the residence of the main accused after due notice was issued by the Municipal Council. A JCB machine was deployed to demolish portions of the structure, particularly targeting alleged encroachments.
The action is reported to have been carried out under the supervision of BJP MLA Pravin Tayade, drawing significant attention.
The case has triggered widespread anger, especially in Paratwada and Achalpur, where protests have been held demanding strict punishment for the accused.
Hindu organisations called for a bandh in the region following a meeting at a local temple. This led to heightened security arrangements, with additional police forces deployed to maintain law and order.
Meanwhile, authorities remain on high alert to prevent any untoward incidents.
The incident has also intensified political reactions across Maharashtra. Opposition parties have raised concerns regarding law and order, while the ruling side has maintained that prompt action was taken as soon as the matter came to light.
