From 'mastermind' to public parade: Police find crucial evidence against 19-year-old Ayaan Ahmed in the shocking Amravati minor girls' abuse case

The horrific Amravati sex abuse and video scandal took a dramatic turn on Wednesday as Maharashtra police paraded the main accused, 19-year-old Ayaan Ahmed, through a village locality to recover crucial evidence., TOI's Anil Jdhav reports. Escorted under heavy security from Sarmaspura police station, Ayaan was taken approximately 600 metres to a nearby neighbourhood. Scores of villagers lined the roads as the accused was paraded in public view. The location was provided by Ayaan himself — he had reportedly sold his mobile phone to a resident named Noman a few days before his arrest.
The recovered phone has been sent for forensic analysis. Police suspect it may contain vital evidence, including videos involving minor girls that are central to the case.

Expanding Probe and Seizures

The investigation, now handled by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), is broadening its scope. Apart from the viral videos, authorities are probing details of a Mahindra Thar SUV and what appeared to be pistols shown in a social media reel posted by Ayaan, TOI reports.
The owner of the Thar has been identified as 50-year-old Rajesh Roshan Prajapati from Sawali Datura in Achalpur taluka. Both the vehicle and the weapons have been seized from him. Ayaan's defence counsel claimed in court that the 'pistols' were merely air guns used for agricultural purposes.Police, however, have stopped short of confirming this. In their official statement, they noted that since the bore of the seized pistols appears small, the items will be sent to experts for further examination.

As per TOI, nNo new arrests were made on Wednesday, but questioning of other suspects continues. As of now, eight accused, including Ayaan Ahmed, remain in custody. Three FIRs have been registered against the main accused.The SIT has also recorded the statement of a minor girl from Nagpur. Separately, the mother of a girl from Paratwada approached police, accusing co-accused Uzer Khan of stalking her daughter.

The case has sparked widespread outrage in Maharashtra, with the scandal involving the alleged sexual abuse and filming of numerous minor girls. Ayaan was arrested earlier this month after a tip-off, and the probe continues to uncover the full extent of the racket.

(With TOI inputs)