Varanasi: Properties worth Rs 1.5 crore belonging to alleged “gym jihad” gang member Imran Khan were attached by police under the Gangsters Act in Mirzapur district on Saturday. Imran and his gang members were arrested on charges of allegedly making obscene videos of Hindu women customers, sexually harassing them through blackmail and compelling them to convert.A joint team of Dehat Kotwali police and district administration officials on Friday evening completed the legal formalities for attaching the land, allegedly acquired through illegal earnings by Imran. Police had booked him under the Gangsters Act as the alleged gang leader in the “gym jihad” case in May, after a case was registered against him and nine others at Dehat Kotwali police station in January.Mirzapur SP Aparna Rajat Kaushik said the action was taken under Section 14(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act on the orders of the district magistrate, as part of a zero-tolerance drive against mafia elements, gang leaders and history-sheeters. The operation was carried out by naib tehsildar Koraon, Prayagraj, Padri station officer Pradeep Kumar Singh, Koraon police and other police and administrative personnel.Officials said the properties attached included farm plots at Tirsath in the Koraon area. The land was jointly held and was allegedly purchased from proceeds of crime and anti-social activities.Police said 10 accused, including Imran, had been arrested and sent to jail in the case, and a chargesheet was later filed. Mirzapur ASP (City) Nitesh Singh had said the investigation found that the accused allegedly targeted Hindu women visiting gyms, lured them through training, established physical relations, made objectionable photos and videos, used them for blackmail, extorted money and forced religious conversion. Police said the alleged activities were intended to secure illegal financial and material gains while creating fear in society at large.
