Agra Sisters’ Disappearance Opens Probe into Alleged Religious Conversion Network Spanning Seven States

Agra | July 17 – The disappearance of two sisters from Agra’s Sadar area has prompted a multi-agency investigation into what police suspect is a wider religious conversion network operating across at least seven states, with potential links to foreign funding and social media-based radicalisation.
Senior police officials confirmed that the case initially filed as a missing persons complaint on March 24 and later converted into a kidnapping FIR on May 4 has now drawn the attention of intelligence agencies, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), and cybercrime units.
The network, police say, has possible operational links across West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi, Haryana, Puducherry, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand. Surveillance teams have begun collecting digital and human intelligence in these states.
Social Media, Indoctrination, and a Digital Trail
According to police, the elder sister had come in contact with a woman identified as Saima alias Khushboo, a native of Jammu & Kashmir and a former student in Agra. In 2021, Saima allegedly took the girl to J&K. A landslide incident, according to officials, inadvertently disrupted the plan. The family, acting on a local police alert, brought her back to Agra.
However, she later allegedly influenced her younger sister. Police sources say both girls were gradually exposed to religious content via platforms such as Instagram, and literature promoting conversion. Investigators traced an Instagram handle believed to be operated by one of the sisters, where religious audio content was posted.One such recording, featuring a familiar voice, led the police to initiate direct contact through the platform. The conversation allegedly included instructions to visit West Bengal, with the promise of further directions upon arrival.
Foreign Funding Angle Under Lens
Officials say preliminary inputs suggest the possibility of overseas financial support to individuals or groups involved. The Agra Police has formally requested data from Facebook and Instagram to understand the online footprint of the suspected network.
While parallels are being drawn with previous conversion cases including the one involving Changur Baba alias Jalaluddin of Balrampur according to sources senior officers said the current case appears to be distinct in structure and operation, though possibly influenced by similar ideologies.
As per reliable sources , a senior investigating officer said:“The use of encrypted messaging, digital content, and deliberate geographic isolation points to a structured effort. We are examining whether this is part of a larger coordinated operation.”
Administrative Response and Legal Action
Agra Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar has assigned ADCP City Aditya to lead the investigation. Multiple police teams are working in coordination with cyber experts and intelligence operatives.The case has also revived conversations around online radicalisation, especially among young women, and the growing role of social media in recruitment and indoctrination processes.
Officials did not confirm whether the sisters have been located. However, they maintained that their last known digital footprints and phone activity suggest planned relocation and possible shelter under sympathisers.