Arrest of Karan Shekhawat on child exploitation charges triggers scrutiny of OFBJP’s fundraising practices and deepens controversy around diaspora politics.
New Delhi: Karan Shekhawat, 34, son of Kuldeep Shekhawat, President of the Overseas Friends of BJP UK (OFBJP), was arrested by London’s Metropolitan Police in February 2025 on charges linked to online child grooming and sexual communication with minors, according to reports from Fleetwood Enforcers UK and MaDebyRedRose. The case has sent ripples through the UK’s Indian diaspora and sparked scrutiny over the Shekhawat family’s activities associated with OFBJP.
According to the vigilante-operated platform Red Rose Database, which tracks alleged sex offenders, the arrest followed suspicious online behavior detected in January 2025. The allegations include sexually explicit communication with individuals Karan believed to be 14 years old and attempts to obtain indecent images of minors. The investigation was initially initiated by vigilante groups such as Fleetwood Enforcers UK, which has a large following of over 316,000 on social media, before being transferred to the Metropolitan Police for formal proceedings.
The case carries major political implications due to Kuldeep Shekhawat’s influential role within the UK’s Indian diaspora. As OFBJP UK President, he has been a prominent figure in mobilizing British Indian communities and has previously courted controversy for his political activities. Reports have also surfaced linking him to an alleged diaspora fund scandal, further deepening the crisis surrounding the organization.
Recent claims suggest that Kuldeep Shekhawat may have been involved in dubious fundraising drives using BJP’s name to collect money through WhatsApp groups and other online networks. Critics have described these as “fake donation campaigns” and “outright fraud,” alleging misuse of political branding to solicit funds under false pretenses.
The case also underscores the increasing influence of vigilante groups in combating online child exploitation across the UK. Fleetwood Enforcers UK operates within a loose network of nearly 90 similar organizations that create fake online personas posing as minors to identify potential offenders. Meanwhile, the Red Rose Database claims to list more than 64,000 alleged sex offenders. However, legal experts warn that such databases may contain inaccuracies and potentially breach data protection laws, raising questions about the balance between activism and lawful investigation.
The reliance on evidence gathered by vigilante groups has created a complex legal dilemma in the UK. While such efforts have occasionally resulted in convictions, they have also strained police resources and interfered with official inquiries. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has issued guidelines cautioning that actions by Online Child Abuse Activist Groups (OCAGs) may themselves involve criminal offenses, complicating the judicial process.
This scandal comes amid growing scrutiny of Kuldeep Shekhawat’s political influence and OFBJP’s operations in Britain. His organization has been known for its extensive use of WhatsApp networks and digital campaigns to rally support within the diaspora—efforts that researchers say have at times involved coordinated messaging, intimidation, and misinformation tactics.
As of now, Metropolitan Police investigations into Karan Shekhawat are ongoing, and no formal charges have been publicly confirmed. The case has cast a shadow over OFBJP UK’s credibility, amplifying concerns about its internal accountability and political conduct abroad.
The unfolding scandal serves as a stark reminder of the need for due process, transparency, and ethical conduct—both in matters of law enforcement and political engagement. It also highlights the delicate balance between activism and justice in the sensitive realm of child protection.
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