Video

Social-media claim has allegedly turned into a murder case

A bizarre viral social-media claim has allegedly turned into a murder case in Bhopal, after police say a group of young men believed that human testicles could fetch crores of rupees. According to the police investigation, the alleged mastermind, a BBA student, reportedly posed as a medical student and convinced the group that the body part could be sold for around ₹1.2 crores. After two unsuccessful attempts to find a victim, the group allegedly lured a 16-year-old boy with ₹100, telling him they needed his help in a fight. Police allege the teenager was taken to an isolated location and killed, following which an organ was allegedly removed in the belief that it could be sold for a huge sum. But the promised buyer never materialised, and investigators found no evidence supporting the viral claim. The case has also raised concerns about the impact of misinformation on young people, with three of the accused reportedly being juveniles. The investigation is now looking into the origin of the viral claim and how it allegedly convinced the accused to turn an online hoax into a real-world crime.