A 19-year-old man has been arrested in Amravati district of Maharashtra for allegedly recording and circulating obscene videos involving minor girls, in a case that has sparked public outrage and intensified political reactions. Some local political outfits claim the accused, Ayan Ahmed Tanveer, targeted around 180 girls, filming over 350 such videos, though police have contacted only eight confirmed victims to date. The accused had previously been associated with Asaduddin Owais's AIMIM.
Ayan was detained by the Amravati Rural Police after a tip-off led investigators to his activities in the Paratwada area of Amravati.
A case has been registered against him under Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, relevant sections of the POCSO Act, and the IT Act, 2000.
He has been remanded to police custody until April 21, 2026. Authorities have seized his mobile phone and recovered several objectionable videos, while forensic teams are working to retrieve additional deleted data.
Police investigations indicate that Ayan allegedly befriended multiple girls, gained their trust, and lured them into relationships.
He is suspected of sexually exploiting victims and recording videos without their consent, which were later used for intimidation and blackmail.
While initial claims circulating locally suggested a much larger number of victims, officials have so far identified eight victims.
However, the number may rise as the investigation progresses and more individuals come forward.
Amravati Rural Superintendent of Police Vishal Anand Singuri confirmed that efforts are ongoing to identify all victims appearing in the videos and to determine how many such clips were created beyond those that went viral.
Authorities are also probing whether a broader organised network exists behind the filming or distribution of these videos.
To support survivors and encourage reporting, the police have set up special contact arrangements facilitated by female officers.
Officials have assured strict confidentiality of victims’ identities and emphasised that revealing such identities is a punishable offence.
Police have also arrested a second accused, identified as Ujer Khan Iqbal Khan, who played a crucial role in amplifying the crime by allegedly downloading objectionable and obscene videos from the mobile phone of Ayan, and circulating them widely on social media. Around 100 videos were circulated on social media, they said.
Police say this act significantly escalated the situation, causing the videos to spread rapidly and triggering outrage across Maharashtra.
The second accused has been taken into custody, and formal arrest procedures have been completed.
He is being produced before the court, and police are expected to seek Police Custody Remand (PCR) to probe deeper into the extent of the network involved, the origin of the videos, and the scale at which they were disseminated.
Investigators believe his interrogation could reveal critical links, including whether others were involved in distributing or producing such content.
The case has also acquired a political dimension, with allegations linking the accused to the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, headed by Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi.
BJP leaders have alleged that the accused had connections with the party and was involved in its social media work during local elections.
In response, a local AIMIM representative stated that the individual is no longer associated with the party, while acknowledging that he had past links.
The case has triggered significant public anger, particularly in Paratwada and Achalpur, where protests have taken place demanding strict action.
Hindu organisations have announced a bandh (shutdown) in the region, following a meeting at a local temple, prompting heightened security measures.
Police have deployed additional forces and remain on high alert to prevent any untoward incidents.
The incident has also intensified political reactions across the state. Opposition parties have targeted the government over law and order concerns, while the ruling side maintains that swift action was taken immediately after the matter came to light.
Authorities have appealed to anyone with relevant information or evidence to come forward and assist in the probe.
With the second accused now in custody, all eyes are on the upcoming court proceedings and PCR phase, where further revelations about the scale, network, and modus operandi of the case are expected to emerge.
