Islamic cleric arrested in Mumbai for ‘sexual assault’ on minor as victim opens up a decade later
The victim, who is now 17, revealed her ordeal during a counselling session; the cleric used to visit the house of the girl to teach her Arabic.
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The victim's mother was subsequently informed after which the local police station was called and a complaint was lodged. (File photo)The Mumbai police late on Thursday arrested a 65-year-old Islamic cleric for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl a decade ago.
The police said that the accused used to visit the house of the girl who was then six to eight years old to teach her Arabic during which he has allegedly committed the crime. However, the incident was reported to the police on Thursday after the girl, who is now studying at a reputed college in Class 12, revealed her ordeal during a counseling session.
“The abuse allegedly occurred when the cleric would give her tasks and touch her inappropriately if she failed to complete them,” an investigation officer revealed.
However, the victim then chose to remain silent as she was threatened of dire consequences, the officer said.
The counsellor at the college informed the girl’s mother and the local police station. The police have booked the cleric under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
The cleric, who was known to the family, was brought to the police station, produced before court and remanded in police custody, the police said.
The police are trying to ascertain whether more minor girls were targeted by the cleric in a similar manner.
A senior police inspector said, “As the spot of the incident appears under the neighbouring police station, the investigation of the case and the accused was handed over to them.”
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