Police in Bhopal, India, have arrested a 20-year-old business student and charged him with orchestrating the alleged murder and mutilation of a 17-year-old street vendor, whose testicles were removed by a gang who believed they could be sold for approximately £100,000. The suspects were reportedly influenced by a social media video falsely claiming human testicles had high value on the black market.
Zoheb Khan, identified as the prime suspect, is accused of recruiting a group and convincing them that the organs could fetch up to 12 million Indian rupees (£92,465) in the Gulf region. Investigators allege Khan posed as a doctor, acquiring medical paraphernalia such as a white apron, stethoscope, and thermometer online to train the group in organ removal.
The victim, Rehan, was a street vendor selling goods near Iqbal Maidan. On August 6, two minors allegedly approached him, offering money to assist with a fabricated fight near Khatlapura. Instead, they are accused of luring him to a secluded area and fatally stabbing him.
Ayush Gupta, deputy commissioner of police in Bhopal, stated that four individuals participated in the attack, with Khan allegedly guiding them remotely via video call. Following the murder, the perpetrators reportedly kept Rehan's testicles packed in ice for two days while attempting to find a buyer. When these efforts failed, Khan allegedly instructed the group to dispose of the organs in separate lakes.
Rehan's body was discovered in Lower Lake near Dhobi Ghat on August 10. He was identified by a tattoo five days after his mother reported him missing. A post-mortem confirmed the fatal injuries and the removal of his testicles. Police have recovered the suspected murder weapon and divers are searching the lakes for the organs. Officers are also questioning individuals allegedly approached by the gang as potential buyers.