India: Muslim Teen Allegedly Leads Grooming Gang, Targeted Over 180 Minors, Changed Identity to Trap Hindu Girls

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A disturbing case of alleged sexual exploitation has emerged from Paratwada in Maharashtra's Amravati district, sending shockwaves across the region and sparking widespread outrage. Police have arrested 19-year-old Ayan Ahmed Tanveer, also known as Mohammad Ayaz, for allegedly luring dozens to hundreds of young women and minor girls through social media, building fake romantic relationships, sexually exploiting them, recording explicit content without consent, and using it for blackmail and further coercion.

According to reports, the accused, a resident of Paratwada, targeted victims—many of them Hindu girls from coaching classes in Paratwada and nearby Achalpur—primarily via Instagram, WhatsApp, and other platforms. He reportedly posed under false identities, gained their trust with promises of romance, and then manipulated them into sharing intimate photos or videos. In many instances, he allegedly lured them to meet in person, taking them to distant cities like Mumbai and Pune, where he exploited them in rented accommodations and secretly recorded the acts. These videos were then used to blackmail the victims, extort money, and in some cases, force them into prostitution or additional illegal activities. Victims who resisted faced threats of public exposure on social media.

Investigators have recovered hundreds of explicit videos and images from devices seized during the probe, with some estimates suggesting over 350 clips. A significant number of the victims—potentially around 180 or more—are believed to be minors, making the case particularly grave under child protection laws. While police have so far officially confirmed contact with a smaller number of victims (reports vary from 7–8 identified so far), local claims and circulating content point to a much larger scale. Some videos reportedly show the accused acting alone, while others involve accomplices. Around 100 such clips allegedly went viral locally, intensifying public anger.

The case came to light not through direct complaints from victims—many of whom may still be unaware that their images were recorded or shared—but due to a personal fallout within the group. A dispute, reportedly over money or a “bet” involving luring more girls, led one associate to begin leaking videos. This triggered local circulation on social media, prompting alerts to authorities. Police registered a case suo motu and acted swiftly.

On Tuesday, authorities arrested the main accused, Ayan Ahmed Tanveer. The following day, they detained three more individuals: Uzair (Uzer) Khan Iqbal Khan (20), Mohammad Saad Mohammad Sabir (22), and Tabrez Khan Taslim Khan (24), all accused of circulating the explicit material. Some reports indicate further arrests in connection with distribution, bringing the total higher. A 47-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the matter deeply. Digital forensics teams are analyzing seized phones, laptops, and online accounts to trace the full extent of the network, identify additional victims, and curb further spread of the content.

The accused had previously served as an office-bearer of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and was seen in social media posts receiving a letter from the party’s local president and filming at rallies. These posts were reportedly removed after the scandal surfaced. Police are also examining whether the operation was part of a larger organized network.

In response, authorities have demolished illegal portions of the main accused’s family home in Paratwada. Child protection agencies have been alerted, and efforts are underway to identify and support victims, many of whom may be reluctant to come forward due to stigma and fear. Investigators are additionally checking for any links to missing persons or suicides potentially connected to the case.

The accused and his associates have been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (formerly IPC), the Information Technology Act, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Charges include sexual exploitation, criminal intimidation, blackmail, and offenses related to child sexual abuse.

This incident has raised serious concerns about the misuse of social media for grooming and exploitation, the vulnerability of young girls online, and the challenges in detecting such crimes when victims remain silent out of shame or fear. Police continue to appeal for information while urging caution on digital platforms. The probe is ongoing, with authorities exploring the full network and working to prevent further circulation of the material.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)