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New Delhi: A shocking case from Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur came into the limelight after a network targeted Hindu women to allegedly force them to convert to another religion. Uttar Pradesh police busted the network, containing 10 accused, and now the Gangster Act has been invoked against all of them for pressuring Hindu women through gyms and social media platforms.

The accused used social media platforms as recruitment centres to approach the victims. According to the officials, more than 50 women had been targeted till then before police took action.

The case opened up after a complaint against a gym owner, which later exposed the systematic and coordinated network involving multiple people with a specific role in this operation.

Sanno- One of the main accused to convince Hindu women to convert

A woman identified as Sanno had a key role in the operation, who was responsible for befriending women and gaining their confidence before introducing the women to the network.

A senior police official stated that Sanno’s role was to build confidence and lower suspicion before the girls were led further into the trap. Investigators also found that if the accused failed in an attempt to lure a woman at one gym, the target was shifted to another gym, which is also linked to the network.

Instagram was the major contact point between the accused and victims, as the network contacted the women by sending a friend request to them, and they slowly intensified conversation under the guise of casual interaction.

Officials also recovered a digital folder from one of the accused. The folder includes thousands of photos, videos, and chat records of the women. The police are currently analysing the folder as evidence in the case.

Maulvi Khalilu Rahman and gym trainer Imran are among the main culprits of this operation. Following Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s directives, authorities booked the 10 accused under the Gangster Act.