Bhopal conversion case reveals strange pattern:Sisters filed cases to pressure men; lodged complaints across several cities

New details have emerged in the investigation into an alleged organised network involving religious conversion, blackmail and exploitation in the Bagsewania police station area of Bhopal. Police sources said the accused sisters, Afreen and Amreen, allegedly filed criminal cases against young men in different cities to pressure them. FIRs filed under serious charges, police probe pressure tactic Investigators said FIRs under serious sections were filed against youths who had disputes with the sisters or were previously in contact with them. Police suspect these cases may have been used to create financial and legal pressure in the name of compromise or settlement. Police have identified several such cases registered in Bhopal and Ahmedabad. In some instances, cases linked to the same dispute were filed in more than one city. Officials are now examining whether these FIRs were used as a strategy to pressure the accused persons. Police collecting case files, recording statements Police officials said files of all registered cases are being collected and statements of concerned parties are being recorded. A clearer picture of the alleged network and its operations will emerge after the investigation is completed. During the probe, police also identified two young men who allegedly had a direct role in the activities. One of them is suspected to have been closely involved with both sisters. Victim alleges ₹5 lakh demand for settlement A young man told police that a serious case was registered against him after he came in contact with Afreen. He alleged that ₹5 lakh was demanded from him in exchange for withdrawing the case and reaching a settlement. Police are verifying these claims and examining whether financial demands were made in other cases as well. Conversion allegations and previous marriages under scrutiny Police said Amreen had married a Hindu man in 2016 and allegedly converted him to Islam. The couple separated about five years ago. Afreen was also married in Ahmedabad and is currently separated. She has filed a dowry harassment case against her husband. Investigators are also examining allegations that the sisters converted a Hindu woman who was known to them and lived in the Ashoka Garden area. Police said the woman went underground after an FIR was registered against the sisters. Police sources added that the same woman had earlier filed a rape case against a young man in Ahmedabad, allegedly at the sisters’ direction. These claims are under verification. Accused taken on remand, police to visit Ahmedabad Amreen and Chandan Yadav were produced in court after their remand ended on Wednesday and were taken on fresh remand. Police plan to take them to Ahmedabad to verify locations connected to the case and gather evidence. Based on the investigation, police are also looking for other suspects, including Chanu, Yasir and Bilal. Yasir is reported to be a resident of Ahmedabad. Foreign travel records, relatives untraceable Police said passport records show that Afreen, Amreen and their mother had travelled to Saudi Arabia on a religious visit. After the FIR became public, some relatives of Afreen reportedly went underground, and their house in Abbas Nagar was found locked. Their father, who worked as a tailor in Kohefiza, died during the first wave of COVID-19 in 2020. Mobiles seized, suspected links under investigation Police have seized mobile phones of Afreen, Amreen and Chandan for forensic examination. Officials said several WhatsApp groups and photographs of young women were found on the devices. These are being analysed for possible links to organised exploitation. Investigators are also examining allegations that victims were taken to other cities and pressured into illegal activities, including substance use and exploitation. These claims are part of the ongoing investigation. Police said the probe is at an early stage, and conclusions will be drawn only after all evidence is verified and statements are recorded.