A case registered in Rajasthan’s Kota district over alleged social media activity has escalated into a major controversy after serious accusations were made by Bajrang Dal regarding an alleged organised digital network targeting Hindu women. The matter has triggered political and social debate, with allegations of blackmail, identity fraud, and religious conversion attempts on one side, while police have maintained that several of the claims remain unverified at this stage of investigation.
The case surfaced after a complaint was lodged at Vigyan Nagar police station on June 15 by Bajrang Dal activist Yogesh Renwal. Acting on the complaint, police registered an FIR and arrested an accused identified as Manish Sharma. Authorities stated that the arrest was made after preliminary examination of digital activity linked to the accused on various online platforms.
According to the complaint, the accused allegedly operated under a false identity on social media, reportedly using the name “Moin Khan” while engaging on platforms such as Telegram, Snapchat, and Discord. The complaint alleges that the accused was involved in online groups where discussions were held about targeting Hindu women through romantic relationships, gaining their trust, and secretly recording objectionable videos.
It has further been alleged that these recordings were later used for blackmailing victims. Bajrang Dal has also claimed that victims were pressured into changing their religion after being exploited, describing the alleged operation as part of a wider organised network functioning through encrypted online groups.
One of the most serious allegations made by the organisation is that investigators recovered more than 40,000 obscene or objectionable videos from devices linked to the accused. The group has claimed that many of these videos involved Hindu women, and further alleged that some of the content contained religious symbols such as “Om” and “Swastik,” while other material reportedly included objectionable depictions of Hindu deities and sacred imagery.
The organisation has also alleged that the accused had undergone circumcision, converted his religion, and adopted a new identity before continuing these activities under the name “Moin Khan.” Additionally, Bajrang Dal has claimed that certain Telegram groups contained discussions referring to ideological or extremist terms, including phrases like “Ghazwa-e-Hind” and “Jihad-al-Akbar.”
Further escalating the controversy, the organisation has alleged that some chat logs and audio recordings indicated instructions or coordination linked to individuals based in Pakistan. Following these claims, representations were reportedly submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Rajasthan Chief Minister, demanding a high-level investigation by central agencies.
The FIR registered in the case includes sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) such as 196(1)(A), 196(1)(B), 299, and 352, along with Sections 66, 67, and 67A of the Information Technology Act, which deal with hate speech, obscene content, and electronic transmission of explicit material.
However, as the case gained public attention, Kota police issued clarifications rejecting several of the claims circulating in public discourse. Kota City Additional Superintendent of Police Subhash Mishra stated that no evidence of religious conversion has been found so far during the investigation. He also clarified that there is no material evidence supporting allegations of insult to Hindu deities or religious symbols.
Police officials further confirmed that the investigation has primarily established that the accused was part of Telegram groups where obscene and pornographic material was shared and downloaded. They emphasized that possession or circulation of such material forms the basis of the current legal action, but broader claims of organised religious targeting remain unsubstantiated at this stage.
Authorities also stated that no evidence has emerged linking the accused to Pakistan or any external coordinated network. Investigators have so far not found proof supporting allegations of cross-border instructions or structured foreign involvement.
Investigating officer CI Mangilal added that the accused, a resident of Vigyan Nagar, allegedly used the fake identity “Moin Khan” while interacting in Telegram groups. He said that digital forensic teams are currently analysing mobile phones, chat records, and downloaded files to determine the full scope of the case. The accused is currently in judicial custody while investigation continues.
Mangilal also clarified that claims regarding circumcision and religious conversion have not been substantiated through any forensic or documentary evidence so far. He stated that conclusions will only be drawn after complete digital analysis and legal verification.
As of now, the case remains under active investigation, with police continuing to examine electronic devices and social media activity. While Bajrang Dal maintains that the case reflects a larger organised network operating through online platforms, law enforcement officials insist that the investigation has not yet confirmed most of these claims.
The controversy continues to grow as competing narratives emerge—one based on serious allegations of coordinated online exploitation, and the other based on preliminary police findings that remain limited to digital evidence of obscene content. Final conclusions, police say, will depend on forensic verification and judicial process.
