An alleged blackmail gang operating from the Vikar ul Mulk Hall of Aligarh Muslim University has been exposed after two young men approached police with complaints of being threatened and extorted, officials said.
Police have arrested Shahjil, a BBA student at AMU, in connection with the case. Investigators said several videos of young men were recovered from his mobile phone.
According to police, the accused allegedly used dating apps including Grindr to contact men, invite them to rooms in the university hostel and secretly record intimate videos. The victims were then allegedly threatened with the release of the videos and forced to pay money.
Student Alleges He Was Held in Hostel Room
The case came to light after a 19 year old BBA student approached Civil Lines police through his father.
According to the complaint, the student was contacted through a dating app and invited to Vikar ul Mulk Hall to meet someone he had befriended online.
The student alleged that after reaching the hostel, he was taken into a room, assaulted and prevented from leaving. He also alleged that an intimate video was recorded and that he was threatened with its circulation.
The complaint alleges that ₹5,600 was initially taken from him and that he was later pressured to transfer more money.
Police registered a case and began investigating the complaint.
Second Complaint Leads Police to Suspect Gang
During the investigation, another young man from the Bannadevi area approached police with a similar complaint.
Police said both complaints followed a similar pattern. The victims allegedly came into contact with people through dating apps before being called to meet at the university hostel and subsequently being threatened with intimate videos.
The investigation was then expanded to identify other possible victims.
Police said they have so far identified around 10 victims, while other reports have put the number of people allegedly targeted at between 14 and 24. The exact number is still being investigated.
Police Recover Videos From Student’s Phone
Circle Officer Sarvam Singh said one person had been arrested and that videos of 10 alleged victims were recovered from the accused’s mobile phone.
“An accused has been arrested. Videos of 10 victims were found on his mobile phone. Digital evidence is being examined,” Singh said.
Police are examining the mobile phone, dating app accounts, chats and financial transactions to determine how many people were allegedly targeted and how much money was collected.
According to police, Shahjil is originally from Pilibhit and was staying at Vikar ul Mulk Hall. Police have reportedly recovered an iPhone 13 Pro Max and ₹1,200 from him.
Police Investigate Other Suspects
Police have also named several people who allegedly worked with Shahjil, including individuals referred to as Mannan, Bhola and Augie.
Investigators are examining whether other AMU students or people from outside the university helped the alleged operation.
The police are also investigating how people from outside the university were able to access hostel rooms and whether anyone inside the university helped them.
AMU has reportedly filed a separate case concerning eight people from outside the university.
Hostel Rooms Sealed
Police have sealed 10 rooms in Vikar ul Mulk Hall as part of the investigation. Officials are examining whether these rooms were used to meet victims and record the alleged videos.
The police are also checking digital evidence and financial transactions to establish the scale of the alleged extortion.
Police said the alleged gang may have been active for around four months.
Previous Similar Case in Aligarh
A similar case had come to light in Aligarh in February 2025, when police investigated allegations that a man used dating apps and social media to befriend young men before allegedly blackmailing them with intimate videos.
In the present case, police said further arrests may follow as the investigation progresses.
The allegations against the arrested student and other suspects have not been finally established in court. The investigation is ongoing.
