Tension Grips in Beawar After Arrests in Sexual Exploitation of Schoolgirls

Jaipur: Tension has gripped Rajasthan's Beawar district, previously part of Ajmer, following the arrest of nine Muslims and the detention of three minors from the same community on charges of a targeted sexual exploitation and conversion racket involving schoolgirls, according to reports. 

Markets in Beawar and surrounding areas were closed, with rallies being held and several individuals, including a former councillor, taken into police custody.

Former Ward Councillor Arrested for Sexual Exploitation

A former ward councillor Hakim Qureshi and three others were on Thursday produced before a court in Rajasthan's Ajmer where Qureshi was remanded to five-day police custody while the others were sent to jail.

"Nine people have been arrested and three minors detained in the case. Four were presented before the court today. Three were sent to jail while one former ward councillor was taken on police remand," Ajmer IGP Om Prakash said.

He said it is the police's effort to arrest and have strict punishment awarded to all the accused, their accomplice, and those aiding, abetting, encouraging and giving them protection.

Four of the accused -- Luqman, Sohail Mansoori, Ryan Mohammad and Afraz -- were sent to judicial custody on Sunday after five days of police remand.

Sexual Exploitation of Minor

The case came to light about 10 days ago when Rs 2,000 went missing from a minor's father's wallet, and a Chinese mobile phone was found in her possession. This discovery led to growing tension in Bijainagar town of Beawar district and surrounding areas, with markets shutting down, rallies taking place, and escalating conflicts between Hindu and Muslim communities.

Upon questioning his daughter, the minor's father learned that she had stolen the money to give to one of the accused. Later, her mother discovered a phone in the girl’s school bag, which revealed she had been communicating with a Muslim youth.

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The investigation further uncovered that the girl’s sister, also a minor, was in contact with another Muslim youth. The youths had recorded videos of their encounters and were using the footage to blackmail the minors into maintaining the relationships.

According to the police, the arrested accused work as labourers at businesses mostly owned by Hindus. The accused would waylay the girls on their way back from school and meet at a cabin cafe that charged Rs 200 per hour.

Even as the police have ruled out a bigger organised gang involved in the crime and are investigating all the aspects to arrest the accused, both Hindu and Muslim communities are living in fear.

(with agency inputs)