Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Instagram Reel Myth Allegedly Linked to Teen’s Bhopal Murder
Police in Bhopal are investigating the killing of a 17-year-old boy named Rehan.
He sold pens and keychains to help his family.
Police say two minors tricked him into going with them by offering ₹100.
They allegedly took him to a quiet place and attacked him with a knife and blade.
Investigators say the group believed a false Instagram claim that part of a teenage boy’s body could be sold for a huge amount of money.
A 20-year-old BBA student allegedly pretended to be a doctor and made the claim seem believable.
Police say no medical evidence or buyer supported the claim.
The body was found several days later, and police arrested two people while detaining three minors.
Police allege a 17-year-old named Rehan was lured with ₹100 and killed in Bhopal on August 6.
Investigators say Zoheb Khan, a 20-year-old BBA student posing as a doctor, promoted an Instagram claim about selling a teenage boy’s testicles.
Police arrested Zoheb Khan and an 18-year-old, while three minors were detained in connection with the case.
The accused allegedly removed Rehan’s testicles after stabbing him, but discarded them after failing to find a buyer.
Reports differ on the alleged value—₹1.20 crore in police accounts cited by most reports and ₹2 crore in one report.
- Who
- Rehan, a 17-year-old seller of pens and keychains, was the victim; police accuse Zoheb Khan, an 18-year-old and three minors.
- What
- A teenager was allegedly lured, murdered and mutilated after the accused believed an Instagram claim about the value of human testicles.
- When
- Police allege the killing occurred on August 6; the body was recovered on August 10 and identified on August 15.
- Where
- The alleged attack occurred at Dhobighat near Chhota Talab in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, after Rehan was taken from Iqbal Maidan.
- Why
- Police allege the group sought money after believing an Instagram reel claiming that a teenage boy’s testicles could be sold for a large sum.
Police Allegations
Evidence and Uncertainty
Motive and social-media claim
Police Allegations
Police allege an Instagram reel convinced the group that a teenage boy’s testicles could be sold for a fortune, motivating the killing.
Evidence and Uncertainty
Investigators say they found no medical basis or organised market supporting the claim and are still examining where the figure originated.
Reported value
Police Allegations
Police accounts cited by most reports put the alleged value at ₹1.20 crore.
Evidence and Uncertainty
A WION report describes the alleged figure as ₹2 crore, creating a discrepancy in the reporting.
Roles and responsibility
Police Allegations
Police allege Zoheb Khan posed as a doctor and guided the group, while four others carried out the attack.
Evidence and Uncertainty
The reported roles are allegations under investigation; the articles do not report a court finding of guilt.
- Victim
- Rehan, 17, who sold pens and keychains to support his family
- Accused
- Zoheb Khan, 20, an 18-year-old and three minors were arrested or detained
- Alleged organizer
- Police say Zoheb was a second-year BBA student who posed as a doctor and guided the group
- Alleged lure
- Two minors allegedly offered Rehan ₹100 and claimed they needed help with a fight
- Reported valuation
- Most reports cite ₹1.20 crore; one report cites ₹2 crore
- Police findings
- Investigators say they found no medical basis, buyer or evidence of an organised market supporting the claim
- Identification
- A decomposed body recovered on August 10 was identified as Rehan on August 15, including through a distinctive hand tattoo
