Mirzapur gym jihad case: Gangster Act against 10 accused

Gangster Act has been invoked against 10 accused in Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur after police uncovered an alleged organised religious conversion network that investigators claim operated through gyms and social media platforms to target young Hindu women.

According to Uttar Pradesh Police, the accused allegedly used multiple gyms as recruitment centres while relying heavily on Instagram and other social media platforms to identify, approach and monitor potential victims. Investigators suspect that more than 50 women may have been targeted as part of the operation.

Police said the case initially emerged from a complaint against a gym owner but later expanded into what authorities now describe as a systematic and coordinated network involving several accused with defined roles.

At the centre of the investigation is a woman identified as Sanno, whom police describe as a key operative responsible for befriending women, gaining their confidence and gradually introducing them to men linked to the alleged network.

“Her role was crucial in building confidence and lowering suspicion before the girls were led further into the trap,” a senior police officer said.

Investigators alleged that the accused divided potential targets among themselves. If attempts to lure a woman failed at one gym, the target was allegedly shifted to another gym linked to the network.

Police claimed the accused initiated contact through Instagram friend requests and slowly intensified conversations under the guise of casual interaction. Officials said social media was also used to monitor the activities, interests and personal profiles of potential victims.

During the probe, police recovered a specially maintained digital folder from the mobile phone of one of the arrested accused. The folder allegedly contains hundreds of photographs, videos and chat records, which investigators are currently analysing for evidence related to the case.

Police believe several women may have been manipulated or pressured into religious conversion after being drawn into the network.

Following directions from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, authorities booked 10 accused under the Gangster Act, including Maulvi Khalilu Rahman and gym trainer Imran Khan.

Officials said the stringent law was invoked based on previously registered cases, digital evidence and the alleged organised nature of the operation. Authorities are also examining the financial records and properties linked to the accused as part of the ongoing investigation.

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