Bhopal teen allegedly killed over false claim that human testicles could fetch crores

Bhopal, India, August 18, 2026 — A teenage boy was allegedly killed in Bhopal after a group of suspects became convinced by a false claim circulating on social media that human testicles could be sold for crores of rupees, according to the police investigation.

The teenager was allegedly lured from the Iqbal Maidan area on August 6 on the pretext of helping settle a dispute. His body was recovered four days later from the Lower Lake area near Dhobi Ghat.

Police have arrested two adults and detained three minors in connection with the case. Twenty-year-old Joheb Khan has been identified as the alleged main planner. Khan, a second-year BBA student, is accused of presenting himself as a doctor and telling others that a teenager's testicles could fetch between Rs 1 crore and Rs 1.5 crore.

The claim appears to have been linked to a widely circulated social-media hoax alleging that human testicles were worth around Rs 6 crore. There is no established legitimate market in which human testicles can be legally sold for such amounts.

Investigators allege that the suspects believed they could make a large amount of money by obtaining the body part and finding a buyer.

Police say the group had attempted to identify a victim on at least two occasions before the teenager was killed. In the first attempt, a boy was allegedly offered Rs 100 and asked to accompany the suspects on the pretext of helping with a fight, but he did not show up. During another attempt, a potential victim reportedly resisted and escaped. Police subsequently registered an attempted-murder case in connection with that incident.

The third attempt allegedly resulted in the teenager's death.

On August 6, two minors allegedly approached the teenager near Iqbal Maidan and persuaded him to accompany them, saying their help was needed in connection with a fight near Khatlapura. He was then allegedly taken towards the Dhobi Ghat area near Chhota Talab.

Police allege that the teenager was attacked with a knife and killed. Investigators further allege that his testicles were removed after his death as part of the plan to obtain money from the body part.