Police in Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur district have busted an alleged religious conversion and extortion network operating through a chain of gyms, following a complaint made to the 1090 women’s helpline. A forensic analysis of a suspect’s mobile phone revealed a password-protected folder containing photographs and videos of more than 50 women, exposing a wider network linked to gyms such as KGN 1, KGN 2.0, Iron Fire and Fitness Club. Six accused, including a Government Railway Police constable, have been arrested, while two others are absconding. Police allege that women were lured with free gym training, gradually coerced, and later blackmailed for money or religious conversion. The investigation is ongoing, with more arrests expected.
