BHOPAL: A 16-year-old boy was allegedly murdered in Bhopal by a group that believed his testicles could be sold for crores, after the alleged mastermind was inspired by a social-media reel promoting a false claim about the value of human testicles.Police said the alleged mastermind, 20-year-old BBA student Zoheb Khan, posed as a medical student and convinced four others that the body part could fetch between Rs 1 crore and Rs 1.5 crore. He was not present when the teenager was killed but allegedly directed the group over a video call.Two failed attempts before murderPolice said the group first tried to lure a 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, leading to registration of 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.Teenager stabbed, body parts removedThe group allegedly took the boy towards Dhobi Ghat, where he was stabbed to death and his testicles removed with a blade.The victim sold pens and keyrings around Iqbal Maidan and Moti Masjid, police said.His decomposed body was recovered from Lower Lake near Dhobi Ghat on August 10. A postmortem established fatal injuries and confirmed that his testicles had been removed.His identity was confirmed five days later through a tattoo after his mother reported him missing.Body parts kept on terracePolice said the group kept the removed body parts packed in ice on a terrace for around two days while trying to find a buyer.But the alleged business plan soon collapsed. The suspects could not find a buyer and allegedly did not know how to preserve or sell the tissue.Zoheb then allegedly instructed the others to dispose of the body parts in separate water bodies.Divers to search two Bhopal lakesAccording 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 suspects have been taken on remand to identify the exact spots where the organs were allegedly thrown. Divers will search the two water bodies on Wednesday.Recovering the evidence from the deep, murky waters could prove difficult, police said. Investigators believe the recovery could help reconstruct the crime and verify the suspects’ account.Accused allegedly posed as doctorPolice said Zoheb allegedly bought an apron, stethoscope and thermometer online and used them while posing as a doctor before his associates.Investigators suspect he used the items to convince and train the others for the alleged extraction. The items have been seized.No link to organised organ racket foundThe alleged plan was inspired by an Instagram reel claiming human testicles could fetch crores in Gulf countries. The claim is a social-media hoax.Police have so far found no link between the Bhopal case and an organised organ-trafficking racket. Investigators have identified people the gang allegedly approached to sell the organs and are questioning them about whether any transaction was planned.Police said recovering the body parts could provide crucial evidence in establishing what happened and verifying the suspects’ version of events.
