Cleric Arrested: Did He Really Assault a Madrassa Student in UP’s Bahraich?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Cleric arrested for sexual assault
- Victim threatened to remain silent
- Family demands justice
- Police investigation ongoing
- Madrassa previously involved in illegal activities
Lucknow, Dec 19 (NationPress) A cleric in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh has been apprehended by law enforcement for allegedly sexually assaulting a madrassa student and intimidating her with threats of violence if she reported the incident to the authorities or disclosed it to anyone.
The assault occurred over a week ago, but it only came to the forefront after the terrified girl confided in her parents about the distressing event. Upon learning of the incident, her parents promptly filed a complaint with the Bahraich police, leading to the cleric's arrest.
The cleric reportedly attempted to rape the student on December 12, after summoning her to tidy up the madrassa grounds. He further threatened her against revealing the incident to anyone. The student has since been referred for a medical examination.
This unsettling event transpired at the Madrassa Darul Uloom Gulshan-e-Syed Mehboob Ashraf, located in Ranjitbojha village near Rupaidiha.
As recounted by the girl’s family, the maulvi named Salman called her to clean the premises. Upon her arrival, he locked her inside a room and attempted to assault her.
He also issued threats to kill her if she spoke about the incident to anyone. It was only after a week that she felt safe enough to share her ordeal with her mother, prompting the family to file an official complaint.
Police reported that they acted swiftly upon receiving information about the incident and arrested the cleric for his attempts at rape.
The family of the girl is demanding stringent punishment for the accused. Authorities are also interrogating other female students at the madrassa to accelerate the investigation.
It’s noteworthy that the madrassa has previously come under scrutiny from law enforcement and faced repercussions for alleged involvement in black magic.
Not long ago, it was discovered that the institution engaged in illicit practices related to witchcraft. During a police investigation, various items linked to black magic were uncovered within the madrassa.
While the madrassa operators were let off with a stern warning, a section of the building was demolished.