In a damning report submitted to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has exposed a horrifying case of rape, blackmail, and forced religious conversions targeting Hindu college girls in Bhopal. Acting on suo motu cognizance, NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar dispatched a three-member investigative team that visited the city between May 3 and 5. The investigation revealed a systematic and organized network operating under the guise of romantic relationships to exploit and convert young women.
According to the Naidunia, the accused lured Hindu girls, mostly college students, by offering expensive gifts, clothes, and even motorcycles. Once emotionally trapped, the girls were allegedly drugged and their objectionable photos were taken. These images were then used to blackmail them, with the victims coerced into silence and, in many cases, forced religious conversion. At least six girls, including two sisters, have come forward so far, and more cases are feared to be hidden due to the social stigma and trauma faced by the victims.
Bhopal’s Islamist conversion racket
The Bhopal conversion racket, exposed in April 2025, unveiled a disturbing pattern of systematic exploitation targeting Hindu college girls. Islamist youths, including Farhan Khan, Sahil Khan, and Ali Khan, allegedly concealed their identities to befriend these girls. They reportedly engaged in sexual relationships with the victims, recorded explicit videos, and used these recordings to blackmail the girls. The accused pressured the victims to convert to Islam under the pretense of marriage, employing threats and coercion. Investigations revealed multiple victims, with some being minors, leading to charges under the POCSO Act and the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act. The case has drawn parallels to the 1992 Ajmer scandal, highlighting the need for stringent measures against such predatory practices.
The Commission suspects a well-organized criminal conspiracy behind the operation, possibly with links to illegal funding or drug trafficking. Despite their modest backgrounds, the accused lived lavishly, raising serious questions about their source of income. The report has urged the Madhya Pradesh government to conduct a statewide investigation to uncover similar networks and determine whether any organizations are providing financial or ideological support to these criminal activities.
The NCW has also flagged the misuse of government welfare schemes by educational institutions. It has demanded strict audits of institutions receiving government funds or land under educational initiatives. These institutions, the report says, must maintain proper records of student attendance, especially where scholarships or free education are involved. It also recommended checks on whether such benefits are being diverted or used as cover for illegal operations.
Further, the report emphasized the need for stronger institutional and administrative mechanisms. Colleges should mandatorily display helpline numbers and submit annual compliance reports under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) rules. The police have been advised to undergo sensitivity training and improve communication skills when dealing with such victims. Regular psychological counselling must be provided to survivors, while law enforcement should conduct routine monitoring and engage with local mohalla committees to prevent such crimes at the community level.
The NCW commended the swift action taken by Baghsewania police, whose prompt response led to the arrest of the accused. However, it stressed that such isolated successes are not enough. A coordinated, tough response across the state is now essential to dismantle this criminal machinery, protect vulnerable students, and prevent further exploitation of young women under the guise of love.
The Bhopal conversion racket stands as yet another disturbing example of systematic exploitation targeting vulnerable Hindu girls under the guise of love and friendship. What began as deception through fake identities escalated into a horrifying cycle of sexual abuse, blackmail, and religious coercion. The delayed exposure of the case underscores the urgent need for stricter monitoring of such grooming networks and swift justice for the victims. As the investigation unfolds, this case demands not just legal action against the perpetrators but also a deeper societal introspection into how such organised efforts to exploit and convert young women continue to operate under the radar.
