Maulvi arrested for sexually abusing minor girl

MANDYA (KARNATAKA): Local police on Wednesday arrested Sayed Muneer, 50, a maulvi of a mosque in Ramanagaram, on charges of sexually abusing a minor girl.

Muneer was arrested from his home in Ramanagaram after the 14-year-old complained that he sexually abused her on the pretext of treating her for being “possessed by a spirit”.

The teenager was admitted to the Mandya Medical College Hospital after she complained of severe stomach pain. Doctors found her suffering from a pelvic infection. When they noticed her behaving awkwardly, they questioned her. She then revealed she was sexually abused by the maulvi when she visited him along with her parents.

The doctors registered a medico-legal case and informed Mandya police. Mandya police superintendent Bhushan G Borase recorded the victim’s statement at the hospital and informed Ramanagaram police.

“Initially, her statements were vague and confusing. Later, Ramanagaram district police took up the investigation because the offence had happened in Ramanagaram town,” Borase told TOI.

Ramanagaram police registered an FIR against Muneer on Wednesday and searched his home.

“According to the victim’s statement, she was sexually abused while she was under treatment for being possessed by a spirit. The accused allegedly inserted an iron rod into her private parts. Fearing social stigma and threat from him, she did not reveal it for a month. When she fell ill and was mentally disturbed, she told the doctors. We arrested the accused. We also recorded statements of the victim’s parents,” said a senior police officer.

Ramanagaram SP Anupam Agarwal said a medical report would indicate whether the teenager was raped. A case has been registered against Muneer under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. Muneer has “treated” similar cases in the past, sources say.

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