MP teen killed for testicles after viral reel claimed they could fetch millions

BHOPAL: A social-media reel carrying a false claim that human testicles could fetch crores in Gulf countries allegedly set in motion the murder of a 16-year-old boy in Bhopal, with police identifying a 20-year-old BBA student as the alleged mastermind. Police said Zoheb Khan was inspired by the reel and allegedly convinced four others that the teenager's testicles could be sold for between Rs 1 crore and Rs 1.5 crore. Khan allegedly posed as a medical student to lend credibility to the claim and directed the group over a video call, though he was not present when the teenager was killed. The case came to light after the decomposed body of the teenager was recovered from Lower Lake near Dhobi Ghat on August 10. A postmortem established fatal injuries and confirmed that his testicles had been removed. How the alleged plan beganPolice said the group made two attempts before targeting the 16-year-old. In the first, they tried to lure another boy with an offer of Rs 100 to help in a fight, but he did not turn up. In the second attempt, another boy fought back and escaped, resulting in an attempt-to-murder case. On August 6, two minors allegedly approached the 16-year-old at Iqbal Maidan and lured him away on the pretext of helping in a fight near Khatlapura. The teenager, who sold pens and keyrings around Iqbal Maidan and Moti Masjid, was allegedly taken towards Dhobi Ghat, where he was stabbed to death. Police said his testicles were then removed with a blade. BBA student posed as medicoInvestigators said Zoheb Khan allegedly bought an apron, stethoscope and thermometer online and used them while posing as a doctor before his associates. Police suspect the items were used to convince and train the group for the alleged extraction. The items have been seized. Testicles kept on ice for two daysAfter the killing, police said the removed body parts were kept packed in ice on a terrace for around two days as the accused allegedly searched for a buyer. The plan soon collapsed as the suspects could not find anyone willing to buy the body parts and allegedly did not know how to preserve or sell the tissue. Zoheb Khan then allegedly instructed the others to dispose of the testicles in separate water bodies. According to police, the suspects told investigators that the two testicles were dumped in Upper Lake and Lower Lake. ACP Santosh Patel, who is leading the investigation, said the accused have been taken on remand to identify the exact spots. Divers are scheduled to search the two lakes. Police said recovering the body parts could help reconstruct the crime and verify the suspects' account. Police have identified people the accused allegedly approached to sell the organs and are questioning them about whether any transaction was planned. The teenager's identity was confirmed five days after his body was recovered through a tattoo, after his mother had reported him missing. Police said the claim that human testicles could fetch crores is a social-media hoax, and the investigation is continuing.