Varanasi: Uttar Pradesh Police have invoked the stringent Gangsters Act against 10 gym owners in Mirzapur over allegations that they operated a racket involving forced religious conversion and sexual exploitation of women in what investigators have described as a “gym jihad” operation.
The Gangsters Act, which requires approval from senior district authorities before being applied, enables authorities to take strict measures including the attachment and confiscation of properties allegedly acquired through criminal activities.
The accused were arrested between January and February this year and are currently lodged in jail. Police said the arrests followed multiple complaints from women who alleged they had been targeted through gyms operated by the accused. The gyms have since been sealed.
Investigators suspect that over 50 women may have been trapped in the alleged network.
Mirzapur Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Nitesh Singh said chargesheets had been filed against all 10 accused, including the alleged mastermind, Imran Khan.
The case was initially registered on January 19 under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, and the Information Technology Act.
According to police, the accused allegedly targeted Hindu women by offering gym training and fitness guidance before drawing them into the conspiracy. Investigators claim the accused established physical relationships with the women, recorded objectionable photographs and videos, and later used them for blackmail, extortion, and coercion to convert to Islam.
Police alleged that the activities amounted to serious organised crimes that created fear and insecurity in society.
ASP Singh said the Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act was added after investigators found sufficient evidence during the probe.
He further stated that authorities would identify properties allegedly acquired through illegal means by the accused and initiate proceedings to seize them under the Gangsters Act.
