Amravati case sparks row as State Minority Chief Pyare Khan targets Navneet Rana

Maharashtra Minority Commission Chairman Pyare Jiya Khan (File pic)

Maharashtra State Minority Commission chief Pyare Khan on Friday accused BJP MP Navneet Rana of deliberately trying to incite a communal conflict in Amravati in the wake of a case involving the circulation of obscene video clips of minor girls on social media.

Khan demanded Rana's expulsion from the BJP over her allegation on Thursday that all victims in the case were Hindus, while the accused belonged to the Muslim community.

The political statement comes after a 19-year-old teenager was arrested in the Amravati district of Maharashtra for allegedly sexually exploiting at least 180 minor girls and recording hundreds of obscene videos.

Eight arrested in Amravati for circulating obscene videos of minor girls

As reported by PTI, eight people have been arrested in connection with the circulation of obscene video clips and photographs of minor girls on social media sites. The probe began after videos were noticed on some websites on April 11.

While no victims have come forward with complaints, the police registered an FIR and made the arrests.

Pyare Khan, while talking to the media, alleged that the Amravati MP was deliberately trying to incite a Hindu-Muslim conflict in the district and demanded that strict action be taken against leaders spreading rumours.

The state minority commission chief further stated that he has spoken to Amravati Police Commissioner Rakesh Ola in this regard.

He said, "There is no need for leaders like Navneet Rana in the BJP, which follows the motto of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'. Hence, she should be expelled from the party," as per PTI.

Pyare Khan also added that he will write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah with this demand.

Khan also highlighted that he met the parents of some of the victims and claimed that they had demanded action against Rana under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The accused, Mohammad Ayan, a resident of Paratwada in Amravati, has been remanded to seven days of police custody, officials said, adding that a detailed probe has been launched into the entire case, the news agency reported.

Investigators said the accused allegedly targeted minor girls through a so-called 'love trap', luring them via social media platforms.

(With inputs from PTI)