A major breakthrough has been achieved by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the religious conversion and rape case involving three minor girls from Ashok Nagar. Following the arrest of the suspects, the police conducted a detailed recreation of the crime scene in Bhopal to establish the sequence of events. Investigations have revealed that Altamas, the prime accused, had stored more than 300 videos on his mobile device. These videos allegedly contain highly radicalised content which was systematically used to brainwash and influence the minor victims, leading them into a trap of conversion and exploitation. Mobile devices sent for forensic examination: Providing further details on the investigation, Superintendent of Police Rajiv Kumar stated that while the recovered mobile phones currently contain some objectionable material, many files appear to have been tampered with. It has come to light that the accused deleted a significant number of videos just prior to their arrest in an attempt to destroy evidence. The investigation team has now sent the devices to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to recover the deleted data.

 

Authorities believe that retrieving these videos is crucial as they likely contain the key links to the entire criminal network and its modus operandi. The investigative process involved a comprehensive crime scene recreation in Bhopal, which has provided the police with several critical leads. During the search and seizure operations, the SIT confiscated the mobile phones used by the accused, along with burqas and other materials that are being treated as vital evidence in the case. These physical artefacts, combined with the forensic analysis of the digital devices, are expected to strengthen the prosecution’s case and provide a clearer picture of how the victims were lured and held. The investigation team has confirmed that the entire network was being operated from Bhopal, with its roots extending to various other regions. The authorities are currently focusing on digital evidence and technical assistance to restore the deleted data and identify other individuals involved in this syndicate. Based on the findings from the recovered data and the technical trail, the police are preparing to take further stringent action against all collaborators and facilitators of this organised crime ring.