A 17-year-old street vendor was allegedly murdered by a group in central India as part of a plan to remove and sell his testicles on the black market for nearly £100,000, according to police.
Police in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, arrested two suspects and detained three minors in connection with the killing. Investigators said the group had reportedly been influenced by a social media video claiming human testicles could command a high price overseas. The victim, identified as Rehan, sold pens and key chains near Iqbal Maidan in Bhopal. Police said two minors approached him at his stall on August 6 and offered him 100 rupees to help settle a fight near Khatlapura on Lower Lake.
The pair allegedly persuaded Rehan to follow them to a secluded location, where he was attacked from behind and stabbed repeatedly, reports GB News.
Ayush Gupta, Bhopal's deputy commissioner of police, said four members of the group were directly involved in the killing while alleged ringleader Zoheb Khan, 20, guided them remotely through a video call. Khan and 18-year-old Aamir Qureshi were arrested, while three other suspects under the age of 18 were detained.
Police allege that Khan recruited the group and claimed to have medical knowledge that would allow him to remove the organs. Investigators said he purchased a white apron, stethoscope, and thermometer online and used the items while allegedly training others.
After the killing, investigators said, the group removed Rehan's testicles and kept them on ice for two days while trying to find a buyer. The suspects allegedly believed the organs could be sold for about 12 million Indian rupees, nearly £100,000 or $136,000 USD.
When no buyer was found, Khan allegedly instructed the group to dispose of the organs in two separate lakes.
Rehan's body was recovered from Lower Lake near Dhobi Ghat on August 10. Police identified him five days later using a tattoo after his mother reported him missing. A post-mortem examination found that he had suffered fatal injuries and that his testicles had been removed.
Police have recovered a knife believed to have been used in the killing and deployed specialist divers to search the lakes for the missing organs. The investigation remains ongoing.
Police in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, arrested two suspects and detained three minors in connection with the killing. Investigators said the group had reportedly been influenced by a social media video claiming human testicles could command a high price overseas. The victim, identified as Rehan, sold pens and key chains near Iqbal Maidan in Bhopal. Police said two minors approached him at his stall on August 6 and offered him 100 rupees to help settle a fight near Khatlapura on Lower Lake.
The pair allegedly persuaded Rehan to follow them to a secluded location, where he was attacked from behind and stabbed repeatedly, reports GB News.
Ayush Gupta, Bhopal's deputy commissioner of police, said four members of the group were directly involved in the killing while alleged ringleader Zoheb Khan, 20, guided them remotely through a video call. Khan and 18-year-old Aamir Qureshi were arrested, while three other suspects under the age of 18 were detained.
Police allege that Khan recruited the group and claimed to have medical knowledge that would allow him to remove the organs. Investigators said he purchased a white apron, stethoscope, and thermometer online and used the items while allegedly training others.
After the killing, investigators said, the group removed Rehan's testicles and kept them on ice for two days while trying to find a buyer. The suspects allegedly believed the organs could be sold for about 12 million Indian rupees, nearly £100,000 or $136,000 USD.
When no buyer was found, Khan allegedly instructed the group to dispose of the organs in two separate lakes.
Rehan's body was recovered from Lower Lake near Dhobi Ghat on August 10. Police identified him five days later using a tattoo after his mother reported him missing. A post-mortem examination found that he had suffered fatal injuries and that his testicles had been removed.
Police have recovered a knife believed to have been used in the killing and deployed specialist divers to search the lakes for the missing organs. The investigation remains ongoing.
