A bizarre and disturbing murder case has emerged from Bhopal, where a 17-year-old boy was allegedly killed after a group of young men became convinced by an Instagram reel that human testicles could be sold for ₹1.20 crore.
Police have arrested Zoheb Khan, 20, and Aamir Qureshi, 18, and detained three minors in connection with the murder. The victim has been identified as 17-year-old Rehan, who sold pens and keychains around Iqbal Maidan and Moti Masjid to help support his family.
Instagram Reel Allegedly Sparked the Plot
According to police, the alleged conspiracy was initiated by Zoheb Khan, a second-year BBA student who reportedly presented himself as a doctor.
Investigators said Khan had watched an Instagram reel making a false claim about the value of human testicles and subsequently convinced others that a teenage boy's testicles could fetch around ₹1.20 crore.
Police said Khan allegedly wore a white apron and projected himself as a doctor, which may have made his claims appear credible to the others.
Investigators have found no medical basis for the ₹1.20-crore claim and no evidence so far of a legitimate buyer or organised organ-trafficking network behind it. Police also consulted a doctor during the investigation but found nothing to substantiate the alleged claim.
How Rehan Was Allegedly Lured
Police believe Rehan was targeted because some of the accused already knew him.
According to investigators, two minors allegedly approached Rehan and offered him ₹100 to accompany them, reportedly telling him they needed help in a fight. He was then taken towards the secluded Dhobighat area near Chhota Talab.
Police allege that Rehan was attacked from behind after reaching the isolated location. He was allegedly stabbed repeatedly with knives and blades.
Investigators say the group subsequently removed his testicles, believing they could sell them for a huge sum.
No Buyer for the Alleged ₹1.20-Crore Body Part
The alleged plan quickly collapsed after the killing.
Police say the accused began searching for someone who would purchase the body part but failed to find a buyer. The body part was reportedly kept for several days before being thrown into the water.
Investigators have said that the entire premise appears to have been based on misinformation rather than any genuine medical or commercial market.
Rehan's Body Was Initially Unidentified
Rehan's body was recovered from the Dhobighat area of Chhota Talab on August 10. Police initially registered a murder case against unidentified persons and circulated photographs of the victim while trying to establish his identity.
Five days later, on August 15, a woman searching for her missing son approached the police and identified the deceased as Rehan. A distinctive tattoo on his hand reportedly helped confirm his identity.
The identification allowed investigators to reconstruct his final movements and question people who knew him. The investigation eventually led police to the five suspects.
Social Media Misinformation Under Scrutiny
The Bhopal murder has raised disturbing questions about the influence of viral social media content on young people.
Police are now examining the source of the Instagram reel and trying to establish how the false claim about human testicles allegedly being worth ₹1.20 crore came to influence the accused.
The case is a stark reminder that sensational claims circulating on social media should not be treated as facts without verification. In this case, police allege that a bizarre online myth ultimately became the motive for a teenager's murder. The investigation remains underway.
Instagram Reel Led to Teen’s Murder in Bhopal Over ₹1.20 Crore Testicle Myth
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Tuesday, August 18, 2026