In Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, police uncovered an alleged organized religious conversion and extortion racket operating through a network of local gyms (reportedly 5 gyms, including the KGN chain). The case, which gained renewed attention in mid-May 2026 with the invocation of the Gangster Act, first came to light in January 2026.
How the Case Started
- A young woman (one report identifies a college student) contacted the women’s helpline (1090) and filed a complaint against a gym trainer/coach.
- She alleged she was befriended at the gym, drawn into a relationship, pressured for religious conversion (including wearing a burqa and reciting verses), blackmailed with photos/videos (some allegedly AI-manipulated or morphed into obscene content), and extorted for money. She claimed threats to her life when she resisted.
- A second woman later filed a similar complaint. Police say other potential victims are reluctant to come forward due to fear.
Alleged Modus Operandi
- Targeting: Primarily young Hindu women attending gyms for fitness. Suspects allegedly used social media (Instagram friend requests) to identify and approach targets, then built trust through gym interactions.
- Luring: Gym trainers/owners and associates befriended women, took them on outings (using luxury cars/XUVs with tinted windows or sports bikes), and gradually escalated to personal relationships.
- Pressure & Blackmail: Once involved, women were allegedly pressured to convert to Islam. Refusal led to blackmail using personal photos, videos, or AI-generated compromising images. Extortion for cash followed; some reports mention coercion into marriages or further exploitation.
Network: Police claim it was coordinated—targets were shifted between gyms if one approach failed. A woman named Sanno was allegedly a key operative for befriending victims. Digital evidence included hidden folders on phones with hundreds of women’s photos, videos, chats, and records.
The racket reportedly operated since around 2021.
Arrests and Action
- Initial arrests (January 2026): Around 6 people, including gym owners/trainers like Imran Khan (alleged prime accused/mastermind, arrested at Delhi airport while trying to flee to Dubai), his brother Zaheer, Faizal Khan (a bodybuilder known as “Mr Mirzapur”), Shadab, Fareed Ahmed (arrested after an encounter), Mohammed Shaikh Ali Alam, and GRP head constable Irshad Khan (accused of providing support/protection).
- Later arrests: Maulvi Khalilur Rahman (alleged mastermind involved in conversions) and others, bringing the total to around 8–10.
- May 2026 update: On directions from CM Yogi Adityanath, police invoked the Gangster Act against 10 accused. This allows stricter measures like property attachment.
- Five gyms were sealed. Cases registered under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act (which bans conversions by force, fraud, etc., with penalties up to life imprisonment), plus extortion, criminal intimidation, and related charges.
Scale and Impact
- Police suspect 30–50+ women (mostly Hindu) may have been targeted, based on digital evidence, though only a couple have formally complained so far.
- The scandal has severely affected Mirzapur’s gym industry: Many women stopped attending, footfall dropped sharply, other gyms faced suspicion and are trying to rebuild trust with measures like women-only slots or more female trainers.
- It also sparked broader discussions, including an NHRC notice on safety guidelines for gyms/fitness centers across states.
- Police suspect 30–50+ women (mostly Hindu) may have been targeted, based on digital evidence, though only a couple have formally complained so far.
This is the police version of events based on complaints, interrogations, and digital evidence. Some families of the accused have denied the allegations, claiming innocence or lack of prior criminal records. The investigation is ongoing, with analysis of financials, properties, and more digital data. Reports come mainly from Indian media outlets like India Today, Indian Express, and Times of India.