New Delhi, Feb 4 (NationPress) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has dispatched notices to the Chief Secretaries of all states and UTs (union territories), along with the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), regarding serious allegations that gyms and fitness centres are being exploited to take advantage of young women, including for forced religious conversion.

A Bench led by NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo has acknowledged a complaint claiming that an organized racket is functioning in Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur disguised as a gym and fitness centre, specifically targeting young women for exploitation and forced conversion.

The complaint indicates that media reports have suggested that over 50 women were allegedly targeted, with a police officer reportedly involved in the operations. The complainant raises significant concerns about abuse of authority, law enforcement failures, a decline in public trust, and serious violations of human rights, women’s safety, and religious liberty.

Furthermore, the complainant asserts that the incident points to the presence of a structured criminal network masquerading as fitness establishments.

The NHRC was requested to step in for an independent and impartial investigation, the protection and rehabilitation of victims, stringent actions against the implicated police personnel, and the establishment of nationwide regulatory guidelines for gyms and fitness centres to avert such exploitation.

Recognizing that these allegations, if verified, prima facie indicate violations of the victims' human rights, the premier human rights body has taken note of the situation under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.

The NHRC has instructed all Chief Secretaries of states and UTs to present reports outlining existing guidelines, policies, registration criteria, and standards governing the establishment and operation of gyms and fitness centres in their territories.

Notices were also sent to the Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, requesting details of any national policies or regulatory norms applicable to gyms and fitness centres, and to the Director General of the Sports Authority of India for information on specifications, licensing criteria, and guidelines for initiating such facilities.

Additionally, the NHRC has mandated the Mirzapur District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police to investigate the claims made in the complaint. All relevant authorities are expected to submit their responses within two weeks for NHRC’s review.