Amravati obscene videos case: 3 more held, part of accused’s house razed; 18 videos allegedly circulated

Superintendent of Police (Amravati Rural) Vishal Anand told The IndianExpress: “As of now, 18 videos and 39 pictures — all obscene in nature — have been widely shared. There is no estimate on how many videos were shot. The main accused is being interrogated and we are trying to find out details. The accused has deleted data from his mobile phone and we are trying to recover them with the help of forensic experts.”

“Both accused and victims belong to the same religious community,” police said. “We are continuing to interrogate the accused and are trying to ascertain whether there are any more accused or victims, or any further objectionable photos and videos. No victim has so far approached either the police or any other department. We have not been able to conclusively establish the legal age of the victims. However, considering the possibility that they may be minors, we have taken suo motu cognisance and registered a case under the POCSO Act.”

“The main accused owned the mobile phone allegedly used to record the videos and take the photographs. Four persons have been arrested so far. The first is the individual who allegedly recorded the content, while the second is the one who allegedly initiated the transfer of the photos and videos. We are now working to establish the chain… six others are currently being interrogated,” the SP added.

The incident came to light on April 11 but a formal complaint was filed on April 13 after police waited for victims to come forward. A case was registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, the POCSO Act, and the Information Technology Act.

Appealing to victims and their families, SP Anand said they are not at fault.

Meanwhile, municipal officials said parts of the accused’s house, a two-storey structure, were demolished as they fell under illegal encroachment. BJP MLA Pravin Tayade, who was present during the demolition, said, “The staircase and a shed have been demolished… Permissions for the construction of the upper floor were not taken earlier; therefore, a 30-day notice has been issued for it, and that too will be demolished.”

Municipal officials said a notice regarding the encroached staircase had been issued 25 days ago after it came to light over a month earlier. As no documents were produced, the structure was removed. They added that a separate notice has been issued for the second floor, and further action will depend on whether the owners can furnish valid permissions. Officials said the timing of the demolition coinciding with the case is “merely a coincidence”.

However, talking to The Indian Express, the parents of accused Ayan Ahmed Tanveer Ahmed alleged that no prior notice was given before the demolition. His mother said a notice was pasted only today, asking them to submit documents within seven days. She added that the house is in her mother’s name. Ayan’s father said officials arrived in the morning and demolished the staircase. He said he cooperated with the police and expects similar cooperation in return. “Demolition of the house is wrong,” he told the newspaper.