NGO President in Nagpur Faces Serious Allegations Leading to Arrest
In a disturbing development from northwest Nagpur, the president of a non-governmental organization (NGO) working with underprivileged children has been arrested following serious allegations of sexual abuse, religious coercion, defamation, and cyberstalking. Riyaz Fazil Qazi was taken into custody by police after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered at Mankapur police station on Saturday night, sparking immediate legal action and a broader investigation.
Detailed Allegations of Sexual Harassment and Workplace Misconduct
The complaint was filed by a 23-year-old woman who served as the administration and human resources head at the NGO since September 2023. She alleges that on July 18, 2024, during her birthday celebrations at the office, Qazi called her to his cabin where he hugged her without consent, kissed her forehead, and made inappropriate remarks. According to the FIR, she did not object at the time due to fear of losing her job.
The survivor further described repeated incidents of harassment, including multiple attempts to hug her. In one particularly concerning instance, she claims Qazi unplugged the CCTV camera before trying to embrace her. She also alleges inappropriate touching when she was alone and that he gathered personal information about her through colleagues.
Cyberstalking and Fake Social Media Accounts
The FIR reveals that Qazi allegedly created a fake Instagram account combining parts of his and the complainant's names. This account was reportedly used to monitor the movements of female staff and volunteers associated with the NGO, adding a disturbing layer of cyberstalking to the allegations.
Religious Coercion and Pressure on Employees
Beyond the sexual harassment allegations, the complaint includes serious claims of religious pressure. The complainant's elder sister, who joined the NGO as assistant project manager in November 2025, was allegedly pressured to follow specific religious practices during field visits. These included reciting prayers of a particular religion for safe travel, wearing full-body covering clothing, and offering prayers according to police sources.
The FIR states that Qazi discussed the complainant with her sister, after which the latter resigned within two months. Several other employees, including a 24-year-old teacher working with the NGO in 2024, reportedly left their jobs due to Qazi's behavior, with some alleging attempts to impose religious practices despite their different faith backgrounds.
Defamation and Derogatory Communications
A particularly serious allegation involves a phone call on April 13 to a former employee's mother. The complainant claims Qazi used derogatory language, labeling the survivor, her sister, their friends and associates with offensive terms while advising the family to keep distance from them.
According to the FIR, a similar conversation was later recorded and shared among staff on April 17. When the complainant and others visited the NGO office on April 18, they found it closed and subsequently approached the police to file their complaint.
Wider Investigation and Organizational Scrutiny
The NGO, situated approximately 1 kilometer from Mankapur police station, claims to have been functioning since 2010 with work in education, health camps, and welfare programs for underprivileged children in local slum areas. However, the case has prompted a wider probe with intelligence agencies stepping in.
The state Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has begun a parallel investigation into the organization's background, financial transactions, and possible links beyond its stated social welfare work according to sources. Police are examining CCTV footage, call records, social media activity, statements of employees and family members, and audio recordings cited in the complaint.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
Senior inspector Haresh Kalsekar stated that more women are being contacted as part of the probe. "On Sunday, we produced Qazi before court which granted custody remand till April 23. We will probe the case from different angles," he said.
He added that three women have already come forward with complaints, and more statements are expected as the investigation progresses. The court has sent Riyaz Fazil Qazi to police custody remand until April 23 as authorities continue their comprehensive examination of the allegations against the NGO president.
