Mirzapur Gym Conversion Racket Probe Sends Shockwaves Through Fitness Industry
In a startling development that has rocked the quiet town of Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, a police investigation into an alleged religious conversion racket operated from local gyms has resulted in eight arrests and the sealing of five fitness centers. The fallout has dealt a severe blow to the burgeoning fitness culture in the district, with gyms across Mirzapur reporting a sharp decline in attendance, particularly among women clients.
Arrests and Allegations in the Conversion Net
Police have apprehended eight individuals, including a maulvi and a constable, accusing them of harassing, blackmailing, and pressuring women gym trainees into religious conversions. The arrested include Faizal Khan, a 34-year-old former bodybuilding champion known as 'Mr Mirzapur' and 'Mr Purvanchal', who now faces charges in the case. Other key figures arrested are Imran Khan, the 35-year-old owner of the KGN gym chain considered the largest in Mirzapur district, his brother Zaheer, and Khalilur Rahman, a 39-year-old maulvi allegedly active in the conversions.
The accused have been booked under various sections, including intentional insult to provoke breach of peace, extortion, criminal intimidation, assault, and forced conversion under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion legislation, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Police Probe and Digital Evidence
According to police, the investigation began after a tip-off on the women's helpline, where a college student filed a confidential complaint against Mohammed Shaikh Ali Alam, a coach at a KGN gym. Upon checking Alam's phone, officers discovered a password-protected folder containing photographs, chat records, and AI-generated images. Some photos allegedly showed Hindu women in burqas in Varanasi, while others were suggestive images of women exercising at the gym.
Police claim that digital evidence and interrogations confirm the existence of an organized gang using gyms to target young women, blackmailing them for cash and forcing conversion attempts. "During the course of the investigation, the suspects have confessed to the crime," stated Mirzapur Circle Officer Munendrapal Singh. "Probe has revealed that the accused were operating the gang through gyms to specifically target women."
Struggle for Complainants and Family Reactions
Despite police assertions of nearly 20 women being targeted, only two have officially come forward as complainants. Authorities believe other potential victims fear repercussions, making it challenging to build the case. Families of the accused have questioned the allegations, with Faizal Khan's father, Anwar Ahmed Khan, pleading his son's innocence and stating, "I don't know what evidence the police have against him." Similarly, the mother of Fareed Ahmed, who was injured in an encounter during arrest, disputed the police version, claiming no evidence was found on his phone.
Impact on Mirzapur's Fitness Industry
The controversy has triggered a crisis in Mirzapur's fitness sector, which had recently seen a surge with seven new gyms opening in the past two years, bringing the total to an estimated 17. Gym owners report that women clients have stopped attending, and youths from the Muslim community are also staying away. "The reputation of the entire industry is dented," said Abhishek Kushwaha, owner of The Boss Gym. "Its fallout has created widespread fear and anxiety among women clients and their parents."
In response, gym owners are taking measures to rebuild trust:
- Calling clients and parents to assure safety and professional management.
- Holding meetings to convey enhanced safety measures.
- Offering Zumba and aerobics classes within membership packages.
- Appointing more women instructors and creating exclusive women-only time slots.
- Strengthening supervision inside gym premises.
However, clients are citing reasons like exams, health issues, or the upcoming Ramzan to delay their return. Dharmendra Jaiswal, manager of One Rap Max Gym, emphasized, "Rebuilding trust is our biggest challenge. People are scared."
Calls for Regulation and Future Outlook
The episode has sparked calls for a district-level gym association to regulate operations, ensure discipline, and prevent misuse. "It would also help rebuild public trust," Kushwaha added. As the investigation continues, with police still looking for one suspect, the town's fitness centers grapple with uncertainty. Sahiba Balmiki, a 20-year-old graduate student and gym member, reflected, "For women, safety is always the first priority. It has not just created fear and uncertainty, but also hit their confidence." The probe remains ongoing, with more developments expected as authorities delve deeper into the alleged network.
