The alleged mastermind behind a high-profile conversion and blackmail racket linked to Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur district has finally been taken into custody after weeks on the run. Imran Khan, a gym operator accused of orchestrating the network, was arrested late Friday night at Delhi’s international airport while attempting to flee to Dubai with his wife and children. The arrest followed the activation of a lookout alert during immigration clearance, bringing his attempted escape to an abrupt halt.
Imran Khan had been absconding for a prolonged period, with a cash reward announced for information leading to his arrest. As soon as his travel documents were scanned at the airport, immigration systems flagged the alert, prompting officials to detain him immediately and inform the concerned agencies. After completing formal procedures, he was produced before a court, which granted transit remand, allowing investigators to take him to Uttar Pradesh for sustained questioning.
Certified Cyber Crime Investigator Course Launched by Centre for Police Technology
How the arrest unfolded
According to sources familiar with the investigation, Imran Khan had been meticulously planning his exit from the country. To avoid suspicion, he first travelled from Lucknow to Delhi and then booked an international flight to Dubai. The presence of his family was allegedly meant to make the journey appear routine. However, the existing lookout circular ensured that his movement was tracked, preventing him from boarding the flight.
Once detained, preliminary questioning began at the airport itself, focusing on his recent movements, travel plans, and potential overseas contacts. Investigators believe the timing of the escape attempt suggests he was aware that the investigation was closing in on him.
Allegations of conversion and coercion
Imran Khan is accused of running an organised network that allegedly targeted young women through emotional manipulation, digital surveillance and blackmail, eventually pressuring them into religious conversion. Investigators claim that private videos, photographs and personal information were used as tools of coercion, leaving victims psychologically distressed and vulnerable.
The racket is believed to have operated across multiple districts, with each member assigned a specific role. Some were responsible for identifying and grooming targets, others for maintaining pressure, while a separate set allegedly handled financial transactions and logistical support. Imran Khan is described as the central coordinator who controlled and directed the operation.
Seven arrests so far, one still absconding
With Imran Khan’s arrest, the total number of accused taken into custody in the case has risen to seven. Those already arrested include Zahir, Shadab, Mohammad Sheikh of Hayat Nagar, Faizal, Farid, and constable Irshad, each allegedly linked to the racket in different capacities. Another key accused, Lucky Khan, remains at large, and efforts to trace him have intensified following fresh leads obtained during recent interrogations.
Sources say questioning of the arrested individuals has already yielded significant digital evidence, including mobile data, online communication trails and financial records, which are now being analysed.
Gym as a front for recruitment
Investigators say Imran Khan used his identity as a gym operator to build trust and gain access to young people. Fitness centres and social circles linked to them were allegedly used to establish contact, slowly cultivating familiarity before exerting control. This front, investigators believe, allowed the network to operate discreetly for an extended period.
Early findings indicate that the gym environment helped normalise interactions, making victims less suspicious during the initial stages of contact.
More names may surface
With the alleged kingpin now in custody, agencies expect further revelations. Investigators are examining Imran Khan’s foreign contacts, bank transactions, and social media activity to determine whether the racket had international financial or logistical support. There is also a focus on identifying additional associates who may not yet be on the radar.
Shockwaves across the community
The case has triggered widespread concern, particularly among families and social groups in the affected areas. Civil society members say such rackets thrive on fear, secrecy and digital exploitation. Experts warn that the increasing misuse of technology for coercion and blackmail underscores the urgent need for awareness and vigilance.
As questioning continues, agencies maintain that Imran Khan’s arrest marks a decisive breakthrough. Officials believe the unraveling of the network is now only a matter of time, offering hope to victims who have been waiting for accountability and justice.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
