Indian student held over killing for testicle trade myth
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Police in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh in central India, say a 20-year-old commerce student allegedly planned a murder after believing Instagram reels claiming human testicles could sell for 12 million rupees, or about HK$980,000, on the black market.
The victim, 17-year-old street vendor Rehan, was allegedly lured to a remote lakeside on August 6, stabbed to death, and mutilated by a group acting under the direction of alleged ringleader Zoheb Khan.
Investigators say Khan posed as a doctor, trained his accomplices using medical props, and later ordered the organs discarded after no buyer could be found.
Police have arrested Khan, 18-year-old Aamir Qureshi, and three minors, while divers search for the discarded organs and officers examine possible buyer contacts.
Key Points
- Bhopal police identified the alleged mastermind as 20-year-old commerce student Zoheb Khan, who reportedly believed social media claims about a lucrative black-market organ trade.
- Investigators said Khan bought a white apron, stethoscope and thermometer, then pretended to be a doctor while giving “organ removal training” to accomplices.
- Three of the accomplices were minors, and two allegedly offered Rehan 100 rupees to help settle a fight before luring him away.
- Police said Khan directed the killing and removal of the testicles by video call, while the group kept the organs on ice for two days.
- Rehan’s mother reported him missing, and police found his body in a lake on August 10, identifying him through tattoos and a forensic examination.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the case is a stark example of how unverified short-form social media content can feed violent crime when users treat sensational claims as fact.
It also underlines the risks around online misinformation tied to supposed black-market organ trading, an area where rumours can quickly escalate into real-world harm.