“Uttar Pradesh: Maulana Syed Mohammad Ashraf of Kichhauchha Dargah arrested for raping a female devotee from Mumbai, issued death threats to victim and her family”, Opindia, March 9, 2024:
“A 24-year-old young woman from Maharashtra’s Mumbai has reportedly been raped after visiting the Dargah in Ambedkarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. The accused has been identified as a 50-year-old Maulana (cleric) named Syed Mohammad Ashraf of Kichhauchha region. The incident transpired on 7th March and the authorities arrested him on the next day after a case was submitted.
He is accused of instilling the fear of supernatural forces in the victim and committing the heinous crime. Afterwards, she was threatened that her entire family would be killed if she talked to anyone about it. The matter pertained to the Baskhari police station neighbourhood of Ambedkarnagar. Pilgrims from around the country travel to the popular Sharif Kichhauchhada Dargah. The woman who faced the shocking sexual violation was one of the devotees.
She came to Ambedkarnagar to visit the place with her family where she met the perpetrator who is also known as Shamshad inside the dargah. He first scared her in the name of evil spirits and then claimed to heal her with his spiritual powers. She was duped by his talks…..”
Read the full article at Opindia.com
