A disturbing pattern of alleged grooming, sexual exploitation, and coercive religious pressure emerging from Maharashtra continues to raise serious concerns, with a fresh case now surfacing from Nagpur even as investigations in the Nashik TCS BPO matter and the Amravati video scandal remain ongoing.
In the latest incident, a man identified as Riyaz Fazil Kazi, associated with an NGO operating in Nagpur, has been detained by the police following a detailed complaint by a Hindu woman alleging workplace harassment, sexual exploitation, defamation, and forced religious practices. This case, now being referred to by many as part of a broader pattern of organised targeting, comes amid already heightened scrutiny due to similar allegations in other parts of the state.
A First Information Report (FIR) bearing number 135/2026 was registered at Mankapur Police Station on April 18, 2026. The complainant, whose identity is being withheld and referred to here as Sonia, has invoked multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 74, 75(2), 78(2), 296, 302, and 356(2), along with Section 66-B of the Information Technology Act.
What the victim told police?
In her complaint, Sonia has provided a detailed account of repeated harassment and coercion at the NGO, where she worked as Administration and HR Head at Universal Multipurpose Society NGO, located behind Pandurang Hall in Nagpur. The President of the NGO is Riyaz Fazil Kazi.
According to her statement recorded at the police station, she joined the NGO on September 4, 2023. Initially, she worked alone and accompanied Kazi for fieldwork. Over time, other employees joined, but she observed a pattern: most of them would leave within a few months, leaving her as one of the longest-serving employees.
She stated that in the beginning, Kazi behaved well. However, a turning point came on July 18, 2024, which was her birthday. A celebration was held at the NGO office around 1 pm with new joiners present. After everyone left, Kazi allegedly called her into his personal cabin. There, he hugged her and kissed her on the forehead, saying, “I don’t want you to leave today.”
Sonia stated that she did not react at that moment due to fear and lack of courage. After reaching home, she shared the incident with her grandmother, mother, elder sister, and other family members. Her sister wanted to confront Kazi, but Sonia stopped her, saying she believed “he must be doing this as per his religion.”
The next day, July 19, 2024, when she returned to the NGO, Kazi allegedly attempted to hug her again. She again did not confront him directly. Disturbed by the incident, she did not attend office for two days and avoided his calls.
When she returned to the office after two days, Kazi called her into his chamber and, in front of her, unplugged the CCTV system. He then came close and attempted to hug her again. This time, she clearly resisted and said, “Sorry sir, I cannot do it, please don’t do this to me.”
Following this, she alleged that Kazi’s behaviour turned rude towards her. However, after a few days, he resumed normal behaviour. She continued working, but stated that he would still attempt to touch her or approach her when she was alone.
One of the most serious allegations in the FIR is that Kazi allegedly created a fake Instagram account named “riz_khus_plu”, combining his name with the initials of the complainant, and used it to monitor the activities and movements of female employees.
According to her statement, he collected personal information about her and other girls through indirect means and kept a close watch on them using this fake identity. The complaint also details repeated defamation and verbal abuse. Sonia stated that Kazi used derogatory language against her, her sister, and her friends. He told others:
“Sonia and her friends are involved in night activities, they have multiple partners, they are call girls… look at their Instagram, they wear short clothes… keep your daughters away from them… if they come to your house, throw them out… the whole family is useless.”
Such statements, according to the complainant, were made deliberately to defame her and isolate her socially.
The FIR further states that Sonia’s elder sister, joined the NGO in November 2025 as Assistant Project Manager. During field visits, Kazi allegedly forced her to follow Islamic practices. He would tell her: “Safar ki dua padh” (recite travel prayer) and “Full kapde pehna kar” (wear full clothes).
He also reportedly pressured her to follow Islamic customs despite knowing her Hindu identity. Due to continued discomfort and repeated references to her sister, resigned within two months.
The complaint also names other individuals who left the NGO: Pranjali (age 24), a teacher, quit due to Kazi’s behaviour, Anushi, who left within five months for similar reasons. Sonia alleged that despite knowing they were Hindus, Kazi deliberately imposed Islamic customs on them “with the intention of insulting their religion.”
A key development mentioned in the FIR occurred on April 13, 2026, when Kazi allegedly made a phone call to a third party (Bhavana Sirsam) and repeated defamatory allegations about Sonia, her sister, and her friend. The same accusations of immoral conduct and character assassination were repeated.
On April 17, 2026, Sonia stated that she recorded a call in which the voice was confirmed to be Kazi’s. This recording was shared with a friend and a colleague as evidence.
On April 18, 2026, Sonia, along with her sister, her friend, and Pranjali, went to the NGO office to confront Kazi. However, they found the office closed. Following this, they approached Mankapur Police Station and formally lodged the complaint.
They demanded strict legal action against Riyaz Fazil Kazi (approx. 48 years old), resident of Naseman Society, Zingabai Takli, Nagpur.
Nashik, Amravati and now Nagpur
This case comes amid another major scandal in Amravati, where disturbing revelations have emerged involving the exploitation of minor girls. In that case, over 180 videos involving more than 300 minor girls were reportedly recovered from the mobile phone of an accused named Ayan.
His co-accused Uzair, along with Mohammad Saad and Tabrez, were also arrested. According to police findings, the accused lured girls into rented rooms, sexually exploited them, recorded videos, and used them for blackmail.
Victims were allegedly forced to pay money, and those unable to pay were coerced into further exploitation, including being sent to middle-aged men. A shocking element of the case revealed that Ayan and Uzair had a competition on “who could lure more victims.”
More than 100 videos were circulated on social media. Local councillor Mujeeb Rashid stated that when the first video surfaced, Ayan apologised and claimed it was deleted, but later leaked more videos.
An FIR numbered 6/2026 was registered at Vasai-Virar Police Station on April 11.
Similarly, the Nashik TCS BPO case has exposed multiple allegations involving workplace harassment, coercion, and religious targeting. The accused include: Asif Ansari, Shafi Sheikh, Shah Rukh Qureshi, Raza Memon, Tausif Attar, Danish Sheikh and Ashwini Chanani, while Nida Khan is still absconding.
All nine victims are Hindu women, and their statements reveal a disturbing pattern:
1. Danish Shaikh grabbed a woman in the office lobby, later lured her into a relationship, and pressured her to convert for nikah, with support from Nida Khan.
2. Raza and Shahrukh abused a woman, made vulgar remarks about her marriage, and attempted molestation.
3. Shafi Sheikh stared at a woman’s chest and suggested she sleep with him to have a child.
4. Tausif allegedly made obscene gestures, pointed at private parts, and abused Hindu deities.
5. Tausif, Danish, and Shahrukh allegedly forced a woman to offer namaz and eat non-vegetarian food.
6. Asif and Shafi touched a woman inappropriately and abused Hindu deities.
7. Tausif and others followed a woman outside the office and harassed her.
8. Raza forced a relationship and made physical advances.
9. Shafi, Raza, and Tausif made obscene comments about a woman’s body and personal life.
An SIT has been formed to investigate the case, and protests erupted after the company’s identity became public.
Taken together, the cases from Nagpur, Amravati, and Nashik present a deeply troubling pattern that authorities are now examining across Maharashtra. With FIRs registered, arrests made, and multiple victims coming forward, these incidents have raised serious concerns about workplace safety, accountability, and the protection of women.
Investigations are ongoing, and further developments are expected as law enforcement agencies continue to examine evidence, testimonies, and digital records.
