A political controversy has erupted in Maharashtra after senior Congress leader Yashomati Thakur made shocking and insensitive remarks regarding the ongoing Amravati sexual abuse case involving Ayan Ahmed Tanveer, accused of abusing hundreds of girls, including minors.
In a video uploaded on Instagram, Thakur appeared to blame the victims, asking, “Didn’t the girls have any sense?”, a statement that has triggered widespread outrage and accusations of victim-shaming amid a deeply disturbing criminal investigation.
In her video message, Thakur addressed the broader issue of rising crimes against women in Maharashtra but struck a controversial tone by questioning the judgment of the victims. Her accompanying caption in Marathi focused on law-enforcement failures and the lack of deterrence by the Home Department. She stated that incidents similar to the Nashik case were emerging in Amravati district, including Paratwada, and criticised the police for their delayed response.
She further wrote that instead of bringing religion into the issue, authorities must focus on strengthening policing and ensuring timely intervention, which critics viewed as an attempt to appease the Muslim population since the perpetrators of the Nashik TCS case were all Muslims.
While condemning the incidents as “extremely disgusting” and “infuriating,” she also raised concerns about the circulation of explicit videos involving minor girls, questioning whether the Home Ministry and cyber cell were “asleep.” She demanded immediate deletion of such content and strict action in the Paratwada case.
Background: A disturbing pattern of exploitation
The controversy comes against the backdrop of a shocking sexual exploitation case that has rattled Amravati district. Police have arrested 19-year-old Ayan Ahmed Tanveer, accused of sexually exploiting hundreds of girls, including minors.
According to investigators, the accused used social media platforms to befriend girls, gain their trust, and lure them into relationships. He allegedly recorded intimate acts without consent and later used the videos for blackmail and intimidation. Authorities have recovered over 350 obscene videos, with around 100 reportedly circulated online, triggering panic and outrage in Paratwada and Achalpur.
The accused’s phone has been seized, and forensic analysis is underway to retrieve deleted evidence. Police suspect the involvement of additional accomplices, including individuals who may have assisted in filming or distributing the content.
Expanding investigation and legal action
The case has been registered under Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with stringent provisions of the POCSO Act and the Information Technology Act. Ayan Ahmed Tanveer has been remanded to police custody until April 21, 2026.
In a related development, a second accused, Ujer Khan Iqbal Khan, has been arrested for downloading and further circulating the videos, thereby amplifying the scale of the crime.
Amravati Rural Superintendent of Police Vishal Anand Singuri has stated that authorities are identifying victims and tracking the spread of the videos. Police are also monitoring individuals involved in recirculating the content online.
