In a deeply disturbing incident, a Muslim preacher has been arrested for the alleged sexual assault of a five-year-old girl inside a mosque in Karnataka’s Belagavi district. The incident reportedly took place in October 2023 but came to light only recently after CCTV footage and information were circulated on social media by an activist.
The accused has been identified as Tufail Ahmad Dadafeer, a resident of Mahalingpur, who was taken into custody following a probe initiated by the Belagavi district authorities. Despite the availability of video evidence showing the assault inside the mosque, the victim’s family had not approached the police, allegedly due to fear and concerns about the girl’s future.
Law enforcement authorities, upon discovering the footage and details online, contacted the girl’s father to encourage him to file an official complaint. However, he declined, reportedly citing a desire to protect his daughter and family from public exposure and potential backlash.
With the family unwilling to register the case, the District Child Protection Unit filed a complaint on the child’s behalf, prompting swift police action. The accused was then arrested.
According to Dr. Bhimashankar S. Guled, Superintendent of Police, Belagavi, Dadafeer primarily worked as a welder and truss structure installer but also served as a religious preacher at various mosques. “He wasn’t scheduled to preach on the day of the incident but had gone to the mosque following a domestic dispute,” Dr. Guled stated.
He added that the child was visibly distressed and afraid after the assault. “The family reviewed the CCTV footage, discovered what had happened, but chose not to report it. Even when we urged them, they refused. So, based on the child protection officer’s complaint, we proceeded with the arrest,” he said.
The case is currently being investigated by the Muragod police.
(With inputs from NDTV)
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