Jaipur: A disturbing pattern is emerging across Rajasthan, where minor girls in schools and coaching centers are being systematically targeted by groups engaging in sexual exploitation, blackmail, and potential religious conversion attempts. These incidents echo the infamous 1992 Ajmer scandal, raising serious concerns about the safety and well-being of young girls in the state. An investigation by Dainik Bhaskar has uncovered three major cases in recent months, revealing a calculated modus operandi where girls are lured into traps through friendship and romantic relationships, subsequently blackmailed, sexually assaulted, and in some instances, pressured towards religious conversion.
Udaipur Tragedy: Sisters Driven to Suicide After Manipulation
The tragic suicide of two cousin sisters, aged 16 and 17, in Gogunda, Udaipur, in November 2024, brought this disturbing trend to light. Initially dismissed as a simple suicide case, the investigation took a dark turn when the family discovered incriminating evidence on the girls’ mobile phones. They found records of financial transactions with a youth from Uttar Pradesh, Shahwaz, and disturbing conversations on social media. The girls had even changed their names online to Muskan and Anisa. Further examination of their school notebooks revealed Urdu verses and the Kalma written within, suggesting potential religious indoctrination.
The family’s persistence led to the arrest of Shahwaz, who, according to the police charge sheet, manipulated and coerced the sisters into taking their own lives, mirroring the narrative of the controversial film “The Kerala Story.” However, the family believes a larger network was involved, alleging the complicity of a fellow student and a local youth. Despite these claims, the police investigation focused solely on Shahwaz, failing to explore potential wider connections.
Advocate Kamlesh Sharma, representing the family, criticized the police investigation for its narrow focus and hasty conclusion. He argued that the police failed to delve into the circumstances surrounding the girls’ religious conversion and subsequent suicide, potentially missing a larger criminal network. The charge sheet revealed over 3,000 conversations between the girls and Shahwaz, highlighting the extent of his influence. Sharma emphasized the need for a more thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind this tragic incident.
Ajmer: Echoes of the Past, a Chilling Reminder
A case in Ajmer, reported in May 2024, bears a striking resemblance to the 1992 Ajmer blackmail scandal. An 11th-grade student was befriended by a girl at her coaching center, who then introduced her to a boy named Irfan. Irfan cultivated a relationship with the victim, gained access to her Instagram account, and used it to send obscene messages to other girls, trapping them in similar schemes. He then blackmailed the victim, threatening to expose her, and extorted ₹5 lakh. The victim was also subjected to rape and gang rape in her own home.
The police arrested seven individuals in connection with the case, uncovering evidence of a well-organized network targeting multiple girls. Their modus operandi mirrored the 1992 Ajmer scandal, where girls were exploited through compromising photos and videos. Despite the arrests and the clear pattern of organized crime, the police concluded that no gang was involved, a claim disputed by the victim’s lawyer, Seemant Bhardwaj.
Bhardwaj praised the initial police action but criticized their failure to investigate the funding of the accused and the broader network behind them. He also highlighted the reluctance of other victims to come forward due to fear and shame, hindering a complete understanding of the scale of the operation. He further expressed concern about the bail granted to all but the main accused, Irfan, raising questions about the effectiveness of the legal process.
Bijaynagar: A New Case, a Familiar Pattern
The latest incident in Bijaynagar, Ajmer, involves 10-15 Muslim youths who allegedly trapped five schoolgirls, blackmailing and sexually exploiting them, and pressuring them towards religious conversion. The accused, all reportedly laborers, operated in a coordinated manner, sharing the girls’ contact information and exploiting them through obscene photos and videos. Families of the victims have alleged the accused even pressured the girls to observe religious fasts and recite the Kalma.
While the police have denied any “love jihad” angle, the similarities to the other cases are undeniable. Ajmer IG Omprakash Chaudhary acknowledged the gang-like operation and the involvement of cafe operators. He confirmed that the Bijaynagar case, along with the other two, has been brought under the Case Officer Scheme, promising a speedy trial and swift justice.
A Call for Vigilance and Action
These three cases, all occurring within the past year, reveal a disturbing trend of coordinated efforts to exploit and potentially convert minor girls in Rajasthan. The similarities in the modus operandi, including the use of social media, blackmail, sexual assault, and pressure towards religious conversion, point to a larger, potentially interconnected network. The failure of the police in some cases to fully investigate these connections raises serious concerns.
Expert Ashish Rajoria emphasized the importance of parental vigilance and educating girls about the dangers of online interactions. He stressed the need for caution when engaging with seemingly perfect online profiles, as they can often be fabricated. He also highlighted the crucial role of parents in counseling their daughters and teaching them to be wary of situations that seem too good to be true.
The resurgence of these tactics, reminiscent of the 1992 Ajmer scandal, demands immediate and comprehensive action. A thorough investigation into these incidents, including potential links between them, is crucial to dismantle these networks and protect vulnerable young girls. The safety and well-being of Rajasthan’s daughters are at stake, and a concerted effort from law enforcement, parents, educators, and society as a whole is essential to address this disturbing trend.
