Nagpur NGO S*x Abuse Case: Director Riyaz Fazil Qazi Arrested for Molestation, Forced Conversion Claims

Authorities in Nagpur have arrested the president of a local non-governmental organization (NGO) following a series of serious allegations involving s*xual harassment, cyberstalking, and the forced imposition of religious practices on staff members. The accused, identified as Riyaz Fazil Qazi, was taken into custody by Mankapur police on Saturday night after multiple women came forward to report a pattern of misconduct at the organization.

The investigation was triggered by a formal complaint from a 23-year-old woman who served as the NGO’s head of administration and human resources since September 2023. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the victim detailed a specific incident on her birthday, July 18, 2024. The victim stated that after office celebrations, Qazi allegedly summoned her to his private cabin. The FIR notes that he hugged her against her will, kissed her forehead, and told her he did not want to leave her that day. The complainant told police she did not immediately protest out of a fear of losing her job.

The survivor further alleged a recurring pattern of harassment, claiming the accused frequently tried to hug her and, in one instance, deliberately unplugged a CCTV camera before attempting to embrace her. She also reported inappropriate touching when she was alone and alleged that Qazi gathered personal information about her from other employees to exert control over her movements. TCS Nashik Case: Woman Employee Accuses Colleague, Says ‘Would Touch My Body, Place Hands on My Thigh’.

Surveillance and Defamation Allegations

Beyond physical harassment, the FIR details sophisticated methods of surveillance used by the accused. Qazi is suspected of creating a fake Instagram account, combining parts of his name with the complainant’s, to track the movements of female staff and volunteers. The situation escalated in mid-April when Qazi reportedly made a phone call to a former employee’s mother. The complainant alleged that during this call, Qazi used derogatory language, labeling the survivor and her associates as "prostitutes" and claiming they were involved in "night activities" while advising the family to stay away from them.

An audio recording of a similar conversation was reportedly shared among colleagues on April 17. When the aggrieved group approached the NGO office on April 18 to confront the management, they found the premises locked, which eventually led them to seek police intervention. TCS Nashik Case: Cops Reveal Accused Stalked and Harassed Survivors on Social Media.

Reports of Forced Religious Practices

The investigation has also taken a sensitive turn regarding religious freedom and coercion. The complainant’s elder sister, who joined the NGO in November 2025 as an assistant project manager, alleged she was coerced into following specific religious customs for "safe travel" during field visits. These practices included reciting specific prayers, wearing full-body covering clothes, and following rituals despite her own different faith background.

The FIR states that the sister resigned within two months due to this pressure. Other former employees, including a teacher who worked at the NGO in 2024, have also reportedly left the organization citing leering behavior and attempts to impose religious customs.

Legal Proceedings and Parallel Investigation

The Mankapur police have invoked several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Section 74 for assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, Section 296 for obscene acts, and Section 302(1) for hurting religious sentiments. Qazi also faces charges under Section 66-B of the Information Technology Act for the unauthorized use of social media to stalk the victims.

Senior Inspector Haresh Kalsekar confirmed that Qazi was produced before a court, which granted police custody until April 23. Kalsekar noted that three women have already come forward to lodge complaints and investigators expect more statements as the probe continues. Due to the allegations of religious coercion and potential financial irregularities, the state Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has launched a parallel investigation into the NGO’s background and financial trails to see if the organization has links beyond its stated mission of supporting underprivileged children.