A 34-year-old temporary volleyball coach from Vedaranyam taluk has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor school student over several months by misleading her and her parents under the guise of sports training.
The accused, Mohammed Kalilur Rahman, a resident of the Thopputhurai area in Vedaranyam, had earlier accompanied students to a sports competition held at the Government Higher Secondary School in Thiruthuraipoondi, around seven months ago. During one of his visits to the school, he approached a senior girl student who was practicing volleyball, praised her skills, and assured her that she could reach the state level with his guidance.
Convinced by his promise, the student shared this with her parents. Hoping for their daughter’s progress in sports, they agreed to let her travel with Rahman to participate in what he claimed were volleyball tournaments in different cities.
However, as the coach continued taking her on frequent trips, the girl’s parents began to suspect his intentions and eventually decided not to send her for further events. Despite this, Rahman repeatedly contacted the family, insisting the student had a strong chance of winning medals.
Frustrated by their refusal, Rahman made a complaint to Childline 1098, alleging that the parents were preventing a talented student from participating in competitions. Following this, officials from the district child welfare department initiated an inquiry.
During the investigation, the parents expressed doubts about the coach’s behavior. Upon questioning the student, authorities uncovered that Rahman had lied about the competitions for months. Instead, he had taken her to various locations and sexually assaulted her, luring her with false promises of marriage.
Following these revelations, Rahman was taken into custody, and a case was registered against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act at the Thiruthuraipoondi police station.
Police have also confirmed that Rahman is already married to two women who currently live separately. Investigators now believe he intended to marry the student as a third wife, exploiting her trust by posing as a mentor and coach. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from the public and the student’s family, who are demanding strict legal action against the accused for his exploitative behavior.
(With inputs from ETV Bharat)
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