Police link killing to social-media reel; organised deception alleged
Authorities in Bhopal have arrested three youths and apprehended three minors in connection with the killing and mutilation of a 16-year-old boy whose body was recovered from a lake on August 10, police said on Wednesday. Investigators allege the attack was prompted by a false Instagram reel that claimed human testicles could be sold for large sums abroad.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Zone-3, Ayush Gupta said the accused and the victim knew each other and often played cricket together. Police identified the arrested adults as Zoheb Khan, 20, a BBA student, and Aamir Qureshi, 18, described as a Class VIII dropout. Three other suspects, aged between 15 and 16, have been apprehended, officials said.
“They lured the boys by telling them that they would be paid Rs 100 if they took part in a fight... In the second instance, the boy could not save himself and they ultimately killed him and took out his testicles,” DCP Ayush Gupta said.
Sequence of events and police response
Police said the sequence began when one of the accused — Zoheb — viewed a Pakistani Instagram reel in which a woman purported that a teenager’s testicles could be sold for ₹1.2 crore abroad. To persuade peers, the accused allegedly adopted the guise of a medical practitioner, buying a stethoscope and presenting himself as a doctor to build credibility.
According to investigators, the group identified three boys as potential targets and used the promise of a small payment (₹100) to lure them into staged fights. When one boy resisted and escaped, the attackers later summoned the 16-year-old victim, Rehan, to another location where he was stabbed. Police said the assailants then removed the victim’s genitals and dumped his body in a lake. Rehan worked as a street vendor to support his family; his mother had filed a missing-person report after he did not return.
Charges, FIRs and investigative steps
Two FIRs have been registered by Bhopal police — one for murder and another for attempted murder in the earlier attack on the boy who escaped. The arrests and apprehensions were made following inquiries and search operations by local police teams.
| Suspect | Age | Status | Allegation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoheb Khan | 20 | Arrested | Accused ringleader; lured victims using fake reel |
| Aamir Qureshi | 18 | Arrested | Participated in attack |
| Three minors | 15–16 | Apprehended | Allegedly involved in assaults |
Local context and wider concerns
The incident has raised alarm about the role of social media in influencing vulnerable youths and the ease with which misinformation can lead to real-world harm. Police said the reel was fake and that a fabricated story about high payments overseas motivated the attackers. The case also spotlights socioeconomic vulnerabilities: the victim’s family relied on informal livelihood activities, with the mother reported to be a cleaner of public toilets and the boy selling pens and keychains around Iqbal Maidan and Moti Masjid.
- Juvenile involvement: Three minors were apprehended, prompting juvenile justice procedures alongside criminal prosecutions for adults.
- Fake medical persona: Investigators said the accused used a stethoscope and posed as a doctor to convince peers.
- Legal action: FIRs include murder and attempted murder; further charges may follow as the probe continues.
Police teams continue to gather evidence and record statements as the investigation proceeds. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether the reel’s origin has been traced or whether additional suspects are being sought. The case is likely to attract scrutiny from child-welfare agencies and cybercrime units given the mix of juvenile perpetrators and social-media influence.
The investigation remains active and police said they are following leads to establish motive and logistics behind the attack.
