Nagpur NGO chief accused of sex abuse, religious coercion of several young women

The state Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) kicked off a parallel investigation into the NGO's background, financial trails, and possible links beyond its stated mission, as part of a broader probe.

Qazi was produced before a court which granted custody remand until April 23, 2026.

The accused, Riyaz Fazil Qazi, was arrested immediately after the case was filed.

When the aggrieved group approached the NGO office on April 18, 2026, it was found closed, prompting them to approach the police.

The FIR was registered at Mankapur police station around 10 pm on April 18, 2026, invoking sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 (74, 75(2), 78(2), 296, 302, 356(2)) and Section 66-B of the IT Act for unauthorised use of social media to stalk women.

A recording of a similar conversation was allegedly shared among colleagues on April 17, 2026.

The FIR describes a phone call on April 13 to a former employee's mother in which Qazi used derogatory language, labeling the survivor and associates as call girls and prostitutes and advising the family to keep distance.

The complainant's elder sister joined the NGO as assistant project manager in November 2025 and was allegedly coerced by the accused to recite prayers of a particular religion, wear covering clothes, and offer prayers during field visits.

On July 18, 2024, around 1 pm after office celebrations, Qazi allegedly called the complainant to his cabin, hugged her against her will, kissed her forehead, and said he did not want to leave her that day.

The FIR states that other employees, including a 24-year-old teacher working with the NGO in 2024, quit due to Qazi's behaviour, including leering and attempts to impose religious customs.

The main complainant, a 23-year-old woman, has been working as administration and HR head in the NGO since September 2023.

The NGO at the center of the case claims to have been operating since 2010.