Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Trailie, cops have unearthed a more disturbing racket involving not only abduction and extortion but also sexual exploitation of girls and women.
Interrogation of Saifuddin and Shahrukh alias Ashu, arrested on July 18, led to the arrest of two more persons, Yaseen and Shahwar, with MD (Mephedrone) powder, a pistol, and two vehicles.
Police officials said Yaseen aka Mintu (25), a resident of the Budhwara area, was arrested near Gamon Mall on Tuesday. Yaseen, who tried to escape in his SUV, was caught with 1.05 grams of MD powder and a semi-automatic pistol. Later, his uncle, Shahwar Ahmad (42) of the Gandhi Nagar area, was arrested with 2.052 grams of MD powder and an SUV. Yaseen is a DJ and organises parties, while his uncle is in the real estate business, they added. It is the phones of these two that have revealed disturbing images and videos of substance abuse, assault, and the exploitation of women.
Additional DCP (crime) Shailendra Singh Chauhan said the cops got the first clue of the drug syndicate on February 9 this year, following the arrest of two drug peddlers, Sameer Uddin and Sohail Khan, of the Budhwara area. They revealed Saifuddin’s name as the one who sold them drugs. Subsequently, a reward of Rs 5,000 was declared on Saifuddin, who was arrested with Shahrukh with over 15.14 grams of MD powder and a scooter. The duo confessed to supplying drugs to pubs, clubs, hotels, and gyms.
Nexus of drug, firearms &sexual exploitation
Police officials said Yaseen and Shahwar’s mobile phones exposed a bigger racket of drugs, extortion, and sexual exploitation of women. They found over 100 photos of firearms and videos of antisocial elements threatening individuals. Besides, objectionable videos involving the physical exploitation of several women and girls were found in Yaseen’s mobile. Police officials said that assault videos suggest extortion and abduction, with victims possibly being held captive. Efforts are underway to identify the victims of sexual exploitation and extortion.
Photos and videos of drug consumption and trade found in the mobile phone reveal a broader drug supply network, and police are tracing the buyers, sellers, and storage locations, officials added. Further arrests are expected as the investigation continues, they said.
Connection with rape, blackmail case
Yaseen is the nephew of Shariq Machhli, whose name surfaced in a rape and blackmail case at TIT College. Although no case was registered against Shariq, his restaurant, Club 90, was demolished by the administration after it came to the fore that the prime accused, Farhan, and his aides raped the victims there. Yaseen’s father, Shafiq Ahmad aka Shafiq Machhli, is a BJP Alpsankhyak Morcha leader.
Cops urge survivors to report
Police officials have urged the victims or individuals with relevant information to report incidents directly to the Crime Branch or nearby police stations, or share details via phone, to help initiate appropriate legal action.
