Rampur, Uttar Pradesh – August 24, 2025 – A shocking scandal has emerged from the Nadrabag Masjid on JK Palace Road in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, exposing allegations of a long-running criminal network involving sexual exploitation, forced religious conversions, and arms smuggling. The case, which has sparked outrage across India, centers on a woman’s harrowing testimony and viral videos that prompted the arrest of a mosque cleric, Raees Ahmed, on August 21, 2025. The allegations paint a chilling picture of systemic abuse, raising questions about the misuse of religious institutions and the need for broader investigations into similar networks.
A Survivor’s Testimony Sparks Investigation
The scandal came to light through the testimony of a woman named Yashoda, previously known as Haalima, who alleges she and her family were victims of a decades-long criminal operation orchestrated by clerics at the Nadrabag Masjid. According to Yashoda, her family was forcibly converted to Islam starting in 1992, beginning with her grandfather. What followed was a nightmarish cycle of violence, including the murder of 17 family members, the gang rape of her mother over 14 years, the beheading of her younger sister, and the rape of another sister who was only four years old. Yashoda herself claims to have endured relentless abuse and coercion, including being blackmailed with explicit videos to ensure compliance.
Her allegations, detailed in a viral video circulating on social media, name several clerics—Imtiyaz Hussain, Irfan Haji, Zakir, Sagun, Lateefa, and Israr—as key figures in what she describes as a “grooming jihad” racket targeting Hindu girls. The testimony alleges that the clerics drugged victims, filmed them in compromising situations, and subjected them to sexual slavery while coercing them into converting to Islam under threat of violence.
मोहम्मद से लेकर मौलाना तक Bलात्कारी..✍️ pic.twitter.com/LOMI8PFvXF
— कोमल यादव (@Ydavkomal) August 24, 2025
Viral Evidence and Police Action
The case gained significant traction after videos reportedly filmed inside the Nadrabag Masjid surfaced online, showing disturbing evidence of the alleged crimes. One video, shared by X user @subhi_karma, depicted pistols, live cartridges, packets of condoms, and obscene books within the mosque, alongside a man identified as the mosque’s imam. Another video featured Yashoda’s mother with the accused clerics, further fueling public outrage. These visuals, combined with Yashoda’s testimony, prompted swift action from the Rampur Police.
On August 21, 2025, Raees Ahmed, a cleric at the mosque, was arrested on charges of gang rape, arms smuggling, and forced religious conversion. The police recovered two country-made pistols, cartridges, and a mobile phone from the suspect, with further investigation revealing potential links to religious conversion activities. The Rampur Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) and are probing the involvement of other individuals named in the allegations. Authorities have also noted similarities between this case and the notorious Chhangur Baba network, known for forced conversions, trafficking, and sex rackets with possible ties to foreign funding.
Allegations of a Broader Criminal Nexus
Yashoda’s claims extend beyond sexual exploitation, alleging a sophisticated criminal network operating under the guise of religion. She described a chilling setup inside the Nadrabag Masjid, where boxes reportedly contained three layers: Islamic texts like the Quran on top, condoms in the middle, and weapons with ammunition at the bottom. This revelation has raised serious concerns about the scale of the operation, with some activists suggesting connections to child trafficking and drug distribution networks.
According to Yashoda, women like Shamseeram (sister of cleric Lateef) and Tahira Begum were involved in abducting children from public places like bus stands and markets, using makeup shops as fronts for drug trafficking. Girls in burqas were allegedly used as couriers to deliver drugs, pointing to a well-organized system that exploited vulnerable communities. Yashoda insists this is part of a “systematic jihad” targeting Hindus through coercion, abuse, and conversion, a claim echoed by some posts on X but not yet substantiated by official investigations.
Community Outrage and Media Silence
The Rampur case has ignited widespread anger, with locals and activists demanding a thorough investigation by central agencies like the National Investigation Agency (NIA), citing the interstate and potentially international dimensions of the alleged racket. Posts on X, such as those by @ASHOKBH40280132, express frustration over the lack of mainstream media coverage, questioning why such a grave issue has not received broader attention. The absence of major outlets reporting on the case has led to speculation about political influence or suppression, particularly given Yashoda’s claim that local journalists previously dismissed her pleas as a “land dispute.”
The community’s outrage is further fueled by the perception that religious institutions are being misused for criminal activities. The presence of weapons and illicit materials in a place of worship, as shown in the viral videos, has intensified calls for stricter oversight of such establishments. Some X users, like @thepoem__0, have described the findings as exposing the “Maulana’s conspiracy,” reflecting a sentiment of betrayal among those who view mosques as sacred spaces.
Legal and Ethical Implications
The allegations in the Rampur case highlight significant legal and ethical concerns. Forced conversions, if proven, violate India’s laws against coerced religious change, while the charges of gang rape and sexual exploitation fall under serious criminal statutes, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, where applicable. The recovery of weapons also raises questions about arms smuggling and potential links to organized crime or radicalization, as noted in comparisons to the Chhangur Baba network.
Ethically, the case underscores the devastating impact of such crimes on victims and their families. Yashoda’s testimony about the destruction of her family—17 members allegedly killed, her mother subjected to prolonged abuse, and her sisters’ horrific fates—illustrates a profound human tragedy. The psychological and social toll on survivors, coupled with the betrayal of trust in religious institutions, demands a robust response from both authorities and civil society.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Steps
The Rampur Police have promised a thorough investigation, with additional arrests expected as they pursue other named suspects. The case’s complexity, involving allegations of trafficking, arms smuggling, and forced conversions, has led to calls for central agency involvement to ensure impartiality and depth in the probe. Activists argue that the interstate and potentially international scope of the alleged network requires resources beyond local law enforcement.
Yashoda’s courage in coming forward, despite years of dismissed pleas, has been hailed by some as a turning point in exposing such rackets. Her fight for justice is not only personal but also aimed at preventing other girls from suffering similar fates. Community leaders and activists are now advocating for systemic reforms, including stricter monitoring of religious institutions, enhanced victim support services, and public awareness campaigns to combat grooming and trafficking.
Conclusion
The Rampur Mosque scandal is a stark reminder of the dark underbelly that can exist within trusted institutions. The allegations of sexual exploitation, forced conversions, and arms smuggling at the Nadrabag Masjid have shocked the nation, prompting urgent calls for justice and reform. While the arrest of Raees Ahmed marks a step forward, the broader network described by Yashoda suggests a far-reaching problem that demands comprehensive investigation and accountability. As the Rampur Police and potentially central agencies delve deeper, the case serves as a rallying cry for protecting vulnerable communities and ensuring that no one else endures the horrors described in this unfolding tragedy.