40,000 videos and conversion allegations: Inside the growing Kota controversy

Kota,UPDATED: Jun 25, 2026 00:04 IST

Claims of more than 40,000 obscene videos, an alleged Pakistan connection and accusations of religious conversion have brought a Kota case into the spotlight, with Bajrang Dal demanding a national-level probe while police maintain that their investigation has not yet confirmed many of the allegations.

The controversy began after Bajrang Dal activist Yogesh Renwal filed a complaint at Vigyan Nagar police station on June 15. Based on the complaint, police registered a case against Manish Sharma under Sections 196(1)(A), 196(1)(B), 299 and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections 66, 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act. Police subsequently arrested the accused.

According to Bajrang Dal, Sharma had adopted the name Moin Khan and was active on social media platforms including Telegram, Snapchat and Discord. The organisation alleged that he targeted Hindu women through these platforms and was part of activities involving the collection of videos and disrespect towards religious symbols.

Renwal claimed that investigators found more than 40,000 obscene videos of Hindu women on the accused's mobile phone. He alleged that some videos showed women with symbols such as "Om" and "Swastik" on their bodies, while others contained objectionable content related to Hindu deities and Shivling.

He further alleged that Sharma underwent circumcision, converted his religion and adopted the name Moin Khan before carrying out these activities through various social media platforms.

Bajrang Dal also claimed that certain Telegram groups and audio clips contained discussions about targeting Hindu women, trapping them and recording videos. According to the organisation, terms such as "Jihad-al-Akbar" and "Ghazwa-e-Hind" appeared in some of these groups.

Renwal further alleged that some audio clips and chats indicated that individuals linked to Pakistan were issuing instructions to people involved in such activities. Following these claims, Bajrang Dal sent complaints to the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Chief Minister, demanding an investigation by national agencies.

The organisation has argued that the matter extends beyond obscene content and could involve a larger organised network operating through social media platforms. It has sought a detailed investigation into all accounts, groups and digital communications linked to the accused.

As the allegations gained attention, police clarified that their investigation had not yet substantiated many of the claims.

Kota City Additional Superintendent of Police Subhash Mishra said that investigators had not found evidence of religious conversion.

"Any kind of religious conversion has not come to light. No facts related to the insult of Hindu deities have emerged in the investigation so far," Mishra said.

He added that the accused had joined Telegram groups and was viewing obscene videos and pornographic material. Based on those findings, police registered the case under the relevant provisions and arrested him.

Mishra also said that investigators had not found any audio indicating a Pakistan connection and that no facts warranting action under conversion laws had emerged during the probe.

Investigating Officer CI Mangilal said that Manish Sharma, a resident of Vigyan Nagar, was associated with Telegram groups and had adopted the fake name Moin Khan.

According to Mangilal, the accused had downloaded videos and photographs from Telegram groups and stored them on his device. He added that investigators had not yet established whether Sharma underwent circumcision.

Mangilal said the accused is currently in jail and that the investigation is continuing on the basis of digital evidence, mobile phone data and social media activity.

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