Surendranagar Police Raid Gym, Recover 100s of Photos and Videos of Hindu Women

Surendranagar: A police investigation into allegations of harassment and blackmail at a gym in Surendranagar has led to the arrest of its owner and the recovery of more than 1,300 photographs and videos involving around 100 women, police said.

The investigation began after Surendranagar District Police Chief Premsukh Delu received a letter requesting an inquiry and urging the police to treat the matter with the sensitivity they would show towards their own daughters. Acting on the complaint, police launched an investigation and conducted a raid at Club 71 Gym.

According to police, Surendranagar ASP Vedika Bihani and her team carried out the operation by posing as customers. The team entered the gym wearing casual clothes, including T-shirts and shorts, and arrested gym owner Amin Yasin Multani.

The action was initiated within about 15 hours of the complaint being received. A former female receptionist at the gym subsequently filed a complaint alleging that Multani subjected her to mental harassment, pressured her to enter into a romantic relationship and threatened to harm her family.

Multani was arrested and produced before a court late Saturday evening. The court granted the police three days’ remand for further investigation.

Investigation into photographs and videos

Police said the investigation uncovered more than 1,300 objectionable photographs and videos involving around 100 women. Investigators are examining how the material was obtained, stored and allegedly used.

Police are also investigating allegations that the accused used the material for blackmail. According to investigators, Multani has a B.Sc. in Information Technology and has studied law, and allegedly used his knowledge of technology and legal procedures while carrying out his activities. Police are also examining the alleged use of mobile phones belonging to other people in connection with the suspected blackmail operation.

Police have not yet established whether all the women whose photographs or videos were recovered were victims of any offence, and the investigation into individual cases is continuing.

Suspected illegal money-lending activities

The raid also resulted in the recovery of 17 cheques, notarised agreements and Aadhaar cards, along with records and ledgers containing names of individuals.

Police are investigating whether Multani was involved in an illegal money-lending operation, whether he held a valid money-lending licence and whether any of the people listed in the records were subjected to threats, blackmail or other unlawful activity.

Individuals whose names appear in the recovered records are expected to be called for questioning as part of the investigation.

Police appeal to women to come forward

SP Premsukh Delu said that secretly recording or circulating photographs or videos of a woman without her knowledge can constitute a serious criminal offence, irrespective of the circumstances in which she came into contact with the accused.

He appealed to women who may have been affected to approach the police without fear. The police, he said, would maintain the confidentiality of their identities while examining their complaints.

The investigation will determine whether other people were involved in the alleged activities and whether offences were committed against additional individuals.

VHP submits memorandum

Separately, a delegation led by Ramesh Bhutada, Surendranagar district president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, submitted a memorandum to the District Collector regarding the incident.

The memorandum seeks an impartial and detailed investigation, action under all applicable legal provisions and proceedings against any other persons found to have been involved. It also calls for investigation of other gyms in the district where individuals allegedly linked to similar activities may be working as operators or trainers.

The delegation has further sought measures to protect women and girls from blackmail and harassment involving social media, photographs, videos and other digital platforms.

The police investigation into the Surendranagar gym case is ongoing.