A bizarre social media claim has allegedly turned into a horrific murder in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
Police have arrested Zoheb Khan, 20, and Aamir Qureshi, 18, and detained three minors in connection with the killing of a teenage boy identified as Rehan. Investigators say the group was influenced by an Instagram reel claiming that human testicles could be sold for around ₹1.2 crore.
The police have found no factual or medical basis for the claim.
Teen Lured With Promise Of ₹100
According to investigators, Rehan sold pens and keychains near Iqbal Maidan to support his family.
On August 6, two minors allegedly approached him and offered ₹100 to accompany them, claiming that they needed help settling a dispute near Khatlapura.
Rehan reportedly followed them through Ginnauri and Kilol Park towards the isolated Dhobighat area.
Police allege that Zoheb was coordinating the group over the phone.
Murder Planned Over Social Media Rumour
Once Rehan reached the isolated location, investigators say he was attacked from behind and stabbed repeatedly with a knife and blade.
Police allege that the accused then removed his testicles and placed them in a polythene bag, believing they could sell the body part for a huge amount of money.
However, the group reportedly had no confirmed buyer.
After failing to find anyone willing to purchase the body part, they eventually discarded it in water.
Police have found no evidence so far that the murder was connected to an organised organ-trafficking network.
BBA Student Allegedly Posed As Doctor
Investigators are also examining Zoheb’s role in spreading the false belief.
Police allege that the BBA student wore a white apron and presented himself as a doctor, potentially making the bizarre claim appear credible to the others.
Authorities later consulted a medical professional and found no basis for the supposed ₹1.2-crore market.
Earlier Victims May Have Been Targeted
The investigation has also uncovered alleged earlier attempts to lure other boys using similar promises of easy money.
Police are examining whether the group had been searching for potential victims before Rehan was targeted. One boy reportedly refused to accompany them, while another allegedly escaped after resisting.
This has raised questions about how long the group had been acting on the social media claim.
Police Probe The Origin Of The Reel
The case has highlighted the real-world danger of misinformation circulating through short-video platforms.
An apparently fabricated claim was allegedly taken seriously enough to become part of a murder plan. Investigators are now tracing the original reel, examining the accused’s digital activity and determining whether anyone else influenced or assisted the group.
Rehan’s family depended on his modest earnings. A promise of just ₹100 reportedly took him to an isolated location, where his life ended over an internet rumour that had no factual basis.
The Bhopal case is a grim reminder that online misinformation is not always harmless nonsense. In the wrong hands, a viral lie can become a real-world weapon.