A shocking incident has come to light in Chitradurga, Karnataka where Maulvi Abdul Rehman and a minor girl’s brother have been arrested for sexually assaulting the girl. Based on the reports from Vijayavani, the police have registered a case under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses) Act. The victim, who became pregnant, underwent an abortion after three months, with the sexual assault believed to be the cause. The girl’s mother filed a complaint at the women’s police station on May 31, bringing the case into the open.

The victim had been attending Quran lessons at a mosque for the past three years, taught by the accused, Maulvi. About a year and a half ago, the girl fell ill, and the Maulvi suggested that a ritual performed at her home rather than in the mosque, would cure her. The mother agreed, and the Maulvi began visiting their home weekly to conduct the rituals.

During these visits, the Maulvi allegedly behaved inappropriately, touching the girl under the guise of performing the ritual. Around six or seven months ago, the Maulvi involved the girl’s brother, convincing him that his sister needed physical comfort for her recovery. The Maulvi coerced the brother into raping his sister, recording the act, and using the video to further blackmail and sexually abuse the girl.

In the FIR, it was mentioned that “the Maulvi deceived us by saying that no one should disclose this matter to anyone, and if we acted against his instructions, the ritual would fail. After my daughter had an abortion due to repeated sexual abuse, she confided in me about the incidents that occurred from January 1, 2023, to May 30, 2024. Therefore, I have requested legal action against the Maulvi and my son in the complaint.“

Regarding the incident, the women’s police station officers have arrested both individuals and registered a case under the POCSO Act. District Police Superintendent Dharmendra Kumar Meena has confirmed that an investigation is underway.

In some earlier reports, there have been numerous allegations and charges against Maulvis for coercion and sexual assault within their own communities. One notable instance involved a Pakistani man who asked on social media how many fellow Muslims had been raped or sexually abused by a Maulvi. The hundreds of responses to his query were shocking and highlighted the widespread nature of these abuses. These reports have drawn significant attention to the issue, revealing a disturbing pattern of alleged crimes committed by Islamist religious leaders against the members of different communities.