A case of grooming jihad has been reported from Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district, where a Muslim man, Shakeel Khan, was caught with a Hindu minor girl at Apna Cafe Hotel in Khajuraho. The incident came to light after members of Hindu groups like Bajrang Dal reached the spot based on the information they had received.
According to Bajrang Dal activist Shivank Awasthi, they had been getting inputs for some time that a man named Shakeel was bringing minor girls to the hotel. On the day of the incident, activists went to room number 205. They said the man inside refused to open the door and told them no one else was present. Suspecting something was wrong, the group forced the door open and searched the room.
During the search, a minor girl was found hiding inside a cupboard. As she came out, she cried and said, “Brother, please save me.” The activists then caught and took him to the police station.
The activists also checked his mobile phone and claimed that several objectionable videos were stored on it. In some of the clips, girls are seen crying and asking to be released, while the man is heard speaking to them and negotiating. The police have seized the phone and are examining the videos as part of the probe.
Awasthi said local residents believe the incident may be linked to a bigger network. He also accused the hotel management of providing rooms without proper identity verification.
Khajuraho Police Station in-charge Prashant Sen confirmed that Shakeel Khan has been taken into custody and is being questioned. He said the minor girl has been sent to the Women’s Help Desk in Chhatarpur for counselling and to record her statement.
The officer added that action will be taken based on the girl’s statement and the evidence found on the mobile phone. The investigation is currently underway.
