By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 1 May: In a major breakthrough police in Nainital district have finally arrested the prime accused in the Bhimtal conversion and exploitation case, Mohammad Yunus alias AMDY alias Bobby. It may be reminded here that the case had come to light after a victim approached Hindutva organisations with details of her harassment, following which the matter gained wide attention. Yunus is accused of concealing his identity to trap Brahmin girls and then subjecting them to economic exploitation. Significantly, Yunus has also been accused of exerting pressure on them for forced religious conversion.
According to SSP, Nainital, Manjunath TC, a case was registered at Mallital police station on 29 April 2026 under crime number 0017/2026. Charges were filed under sections 3 and 5 of the Uttarakhand Religious Freedom Act 2018 along with relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The police stated that the accused was arrested following an investigation. A case has been registered against the accused under sections of the BNS, the POCSO Act, and the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act. The accused allegedly used multiple names to approach Hindu women and to build trust through activities such as photography, video shoots, trekking and music sessions, before manipulating them into economic and psychological exploitation.
The complainant stated that Yunus extracted nearly Rs 17 lakhs by making her spend on various equipment and later he pressured her to convert under the pretext of marriage. Soon enough, more victims have come forward to register their complaints and it resulted in the case assuming greater seriousness. Reports claim that Yunus specifically targeted Brahmin girls. Considering the sensitivity of the matter, the SSP constituted a special team. Yunus attempted to evade arrest by approaching the High Court but was denied relief from possible arrest. Persistent efforts by Bhimtal police, SIT and SOG eventually led to his arrest from the Nainital area.
Following his arrest, Yunus was produced before the court which has remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody. SSP Manjunath TC asserted that illegal acts related to conversion would not be tolerated under any circumstances and that strict action would be taken under a zero tolerance policy. Police, SIT and SOG teams played a crucial role in the operation, with officers including circle officers, station in-charges, women police officials and SOG personnel involved.
The authorities also shared that Yunus’s house in Bhimtal had been constructed by encroaching on government land. In view of this fact, the administration has launched proceedings to remove the illegal structure.
