SIT Formed in Kolhapur ‘Love Jihad’ Case, Second FIR Registered at Shahupuri Police Station

SIT is led by Additional SP Dheerajkumar has been formed after a second case was registered in Shahupuri. The two accused have been remanded to police custody till May 4.

April 30, 2026 | Kolhapur: In a major development in the alleged “love jihad” and sexual exploitation case in Kolhapur, police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the expanding network behind the crime. The SIT has been constituted after a second FIR was registered at the Shahupuri Police Station regarding allegations of trapping young women, sexually exploiting them, and blackmailing them through obscene videos.

Kolhapur Superintendent of Police Neelotpal confirmed on Wednesday that the SIT has been formed considering the seriousness and growing scope of the case. The special team will be led by Additional Superintendent of Police Dheerajkumar and will consist of eight officers. The case initially came to light after a complaint was filed at Hatkanangale Police Station against two suspects identified as Shahid Sameer Sanade (22) and Shahrukh Hussain Desai (30), both residents of Shiroli Pulachi. The accused are alleged to have lured young women into romantic relationships and later subjected them to exploitation and intimidation.

On Wednesday, another young woman approached the authorities with a fresh complaint, following which a second case was registered against Shahid Sanade in the early hours of the day at Shahupuri Police Station. Police officials said the increasing number of complaints and the possibility of a wider racket prompted the decision to establish an SIT. The SIT includes senior officials such as City Deputy Superintendent of Police Priya Patil, Jaysingpur Deputy Superintendent of Police Amol Thakur, two police inspectors, a woman assistant police inspector, a woman sub-inspector, and an assistant sub-inspector.

Meanwhile, the two accused who are currently under arrest were produced before the Peth Vadgaon court. The court extended their police custody till May 4, allowing investigators additional time to gather evidence. Police have begun forensic examination of digital evidence recovered from the suspects, including mobile phones containing videos and photographs. Authorities are also investigating whether objectionable material was stored on other electronic devices. Searches have been conducted at the suspects’ residences as part of the ongoing investigation. Police officials said further action will depend on forensic findings and statements from additional victims who may come forward in the coming days.

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