Kerala Court Sentences Madrasa Teacher To 187 Years In Jail For Sexual Assault Of Minor

KOCHI: The Taliparamba court in Kerala has handed down a significant sentence of 187 years in prison to Muhammed Rafi, a madrasa teacher, for the sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl in the Kannur district. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday, marking a critical moment in a case that has drawn attention to the safety of children in educational settings.

Rafi, a native of Alakode, was found guilty of several offenses under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. In addition to the life imprisonment, the court has also imposed a monetary fine of Rs 9 lakh on him. The inquiry found that the attacks were made between 2020 and 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic, when Rafi is said to have gained the confidence of the victim before abusing her multiple times. The FIR was lodged at Pazhayangadi police station.

The court highlighted the seriousness of Rafi's offenses and his record as a repeat offender, pointing to an earlier case against him under the POCSO Act in the Valapattanam police station. At the time of the current offenses, Rafi was out on bail related to that earlier case.

This incident follows another shocking incident in Bengaluru, where an 11-year-old girl was reportedly assaulted at a madrasa. Accused Mohammad Hasan was apprehended after a CCTV camera reportedly filmed him harassing the child. Such incidents reflect serious problems with regard to the safety and welfare of children in places of religious and educational institutions throughout the country.

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