NAGPUR: An NGO working with underprivileged children in northwest Nagpur is facing serious allegations after its president, Riyaz Fazil Qazi, was arrested following an FIR that accuses him of sexual abuse, religious coercion, defamation and cyberstalking. Police said the arrest was made soon after the complaint was registered at Mankapur police station on Saturday night. The case has prompted a wider probe, with intelligence agencies also stepping in. The state Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has begun a parallel investigation into the organisation’s background, financial transactions and possible links beyond its stated social welfare work, sources said.
Allegations of sexual harassment at workplace
The complaint has been filed by a 23-year-old woman who worked as administration and HR head at the NGO since September 2023. She alleged that on July 18, 2024, during her birthday celebrations at the office, Qazi called her to his cabin. She claimed he hugged her without consent, kissed her forehead and told her, “I don’t want to leave you today”. According to the FIR, she did not object at the time due to fear of losing her job. The complainant further alleged repeated incidents of harassment, including attempts to hug her on multiple occasions. In one instance, she claimed he unplugged the CCTV camera before trying to embrace her. She also alleged that he touched her inappropriately when she was alone and gathered personal information about her through colleagues.Key details:
- Riyaz Fazil Qazi, the accused, allegedly hugged the HR head, kissed her forehead on July 18, 2024
- As per survivor, Qazi tried to hug her many times, shut off CCTV once
- Created fake Instagram account to monitor female staff, volunteers
- Survivor’s sister was allegedly forced to recite prayers of another religion, wear specific clothes
- Court sent Riyaz Fazil Qazi to police custody remand until April 23 on Sunday
- A teacher left NGO in 2024 due to Qazi’s behavior
- Qazi allegedly called up an ex-staffer’s mother on April 13 to defame the survivor, her sister and their group
‘Fake social media account’
The FIR also states that Qazi allegedly created a fake Instagram account combining parts of his and the complainant’s names. It is alleged that the account was used to monitor the movements of female staff and volunteers associated with the NGO.
Claims of religious pressure
The complainant further alleged that her elder sister, who joined the NGO as assistant project manager in November 2025, was pressured to follow certain religious practices during field visits. These included reciting prayers of a particular religion for safe travel, wearing full-body covering clothing, and offering prayers, police sources said. The FIR states that Qazi also discussed the complaint with her sister, after which the latter resigned within two months.
Other employees quit, alleges FIR
The complainant stated that several employees, including a 24-year-old teacher working with the NGO in 2024, left their jobs due to Qazi’s behaviour. Some alleged attempts to impose religious practices despite their different faith backgrounds.
‘A phone call’
A particularly serious allegation involves a phone call on April 13 to a former employee’s mother. The complainant claimed Qazi used derogatory language, labeling the survivor, her sister, their friends and their associates “call girls” and “prostitutes,” involved in “night activities”, while advising the family to keep distance from them.
Audio circulation and confrontation
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.
NGO under scanner
The NGO, situated around 1 km from Mankapur police station, claims to have been functioning since 2010 and says it works in education, health camps and welfare programs for underprivileged children in local slum areas. Police said they are examining CCTV footage, call records, social media activity, statements of employees and family members, and audio recordings cited in the complaint.
‘Will probe the case from different angles’
Senior inspector Haresh Kalsekar said 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.
