Kerala-based Islamic preacher Muhammad Niyas Jouhari, also known as Ustad Muhammad Niyas, who recently criticised Malayalam actress Nazriya Nazim over her choice of clothing, has been arrested in a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case involving the alleged repeated sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl, as reported in The Free Press Journal.
The 34-year-old preacher was arrested on Sunday in connection with allegations that he sexually exploited the minor under the pretext of performing spiritual healing rituals. Jouhari is the director of Habibiyya Islamic Academy at Ochira in Kerala’s Kollam district.
The arrest comes days after a video of Jouhari criticising Nazriya’s outfit at a promotional event in Dubai went viral on social media.
Preacher Had Criticised Nazriya Nazim Over Her Outfit
Nazriya, who is married to actor Fahadh Faasil, had faced criticism on social media for wearing a yellow off-shoulder dress at an October 28 promotional event in Dubai for her upcoming Tamil film.
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In an Instagram reel, Jouhari referred to Nazriya as a Muslim actress and questioned her choice of clothing, describing it as inappropriate for a public event. He also made remarks about her husband and her association with the film industry.
Questioning the actress’s religious conduct, Jouhari made a comparison between advising people in the film industry about religious practices and approaching a heavily intoxicated person to tell them that they should have said ‘Bismillah’ before drinking.
He nevertheless maintained that Nazriya’s choice of clothing was wrong. He also questioned why Muslim actresses were criticised over their attire while male actors in the film industry were not subjected to similar scrutiny despite having religious obligations of their own.
Ustad Muhammad Niyas who shamed Nazriya Nazim the wife of Fahadh Faasil over her dressing in the name of Islam is now booked under POCSO for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl.
Islamic morality👏🏻.
@NazriyaFahadh speak up against these people.
#Hypocrisy #POCSO #NazriyaNazim https://t.co/YM8yMdkqsH
— Nambiar Adarsh Narayanan P V 🪷 (@Adarsh4BJP) November 4, 2026
The reel featured photographs of Nazriya wearing the outfit that had triggered the controversy.
Arrested For Allegedly Sexually Assaulting Minor Under Guise Of Spiritual Healing
According to the police, the case came to light after the paternal grandmother of the 16-year-old girl approached Jouhari seeking relief from health problems.
Jouhari allegedly told the family that the grandmother was under the influence of an evil spirit and needed a purification ritual.
Police allege that he subsequently gained the family’s trust by claiming that he could remove supernatural afflictions through prayers and spiritual practices. He is accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting the minor under this pretext.
The allegations have led to his arrest under the POCSO Act.
Police in Kerala are investigating whether a popular Islamic preacher and YouTuber, arrested for allegedly repeatedly raping a 16-year-old girl under the pretext of spiritual healing, may have sexually exploited other minors as well.
Investigators are preparing to examine the mobile phone and electronic devices of 34-year-old Mohammed Niyas Jouhari, who was arrested on Sunday.
Police are also probing substantial financial transactions linked to the Islamic educational institution he runs in Kollam district.
Jouhari, the director of Habibiyya Islamic Academy at Ochira, was arrested following allegations that he sexually assaulted the girl on multiple occasions after convincing her family that he could remove supernatural afflictions through prayers.
According to police, the girl’s paternal grandmother had approached the preacher seeking relief from health problems. Jouhari allegedly convinced the family that the grandmother was under the influence of an evil spirit and required a purification ritual.
The girl and her grandmother subsequently visited his academy. Investigators allege that Jouhari used the family’s faith in his purported spiritual abilities to gain access to the minor and repeatedly sexually assault her.
The alleged assaults took place at the academy, rented premises and other locations. Reports indicate that several incidents occurred in October and November 2025.
The case came to light after the girl confided in her friends about the alleged abuse. Police subsequently recorded her statement and registered a case.
Investigators reportedly examined medical evidence and mobile phone conversations before arresting the preacher. Jouhari has been booked under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to rape and criminal intimidation.
The accused, who has more than two lakh subscribers on YouTube, regularly posted religious sermons and prayer sessions on social media.
Police are now examining whether other girls may have been subjected to similar exploitation and whether evidence recovered from his electronic devices could reveal further offences.
The investigation has also expanded to the functioning and financial transactions of Habibiyya Islamic Academy, where several boys and girls are reportedly enrolled.
Jouhari is currently in judicial custody. So far, there has been no publicly confirmed identification of additional victims or registration of further cases.
— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) November 3, 2026
Police Probe Other Possible Victims, Examine Financial Transactions
Investigators are also examining whether Jouhari sexually exploited other minors. Police are preparing to analyse his mobile phone and other electronic devices to identify possible additional victims and gather evidence relevant to the case.
The investigation is also examining substantial financial transactions associated with the Islamic educational institution run by Jouhari in Kollam district.
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