17-year-old Killed Over Claims His Tentacles Were Worth £100,000

A 17-year-old street vendor identified as Rehan was allegedly murdered by a gang in Bhopal, India, after the suspects were reportedly influenced by a false social media claim that human testicles could be sold for millions of rupees on the black market.

Police have arrested 20-year-old business student Zoheb Khan, 18-year-old Aamir Qureshi and three minors in connection with the killing.

According to investigators, Khan allegedly recruited the group and convinced them that the organs could fetch about 12 million Indian rupees (£92,465) in the Gulf.

Police said Khan went as far as posing as a doctor, purchasing a white apron, stethoscope and thermometer online and using them to train the other suspects. He allegedly directed four of them during the attack through a video call.

Rehan, who sold pens and key chains around Iqbal Maidan, was allegedly lured away from his stall on August 6 by two minors who offered him Rs 100 to help settle a supposed fight.

He was taken to an isolated location, where police said he was repeatedly stabbed.

Investigators allege that the suspects removed his testicles and stored them in ice for two days while attempting to find a buyer. When their efforts failed, Khan allegedly instructed them to dispose of the organs in separate lakes.

Rehan’s body was recovered from Lower Lake on August 10, five days after his mother reported him missing. He was identified through a tattoo, while a post-mortem examination confirmed fatal injuries and the removal of his testicles.

Police said they recovered the suspected murder weapon and deployed divers to search the lakes.

Investigators are also questioning individuals who were allegedly approached as potential buyers as they work to establish whether the suspects had a genuine plan to sell the organs or had simply acted on the false claim circulating online.