12-Year-Old Raped By Cleric While Trying To Get Water From Mosque, Accused Arrested

Police in India’s capital New Delhi, arrested a 48-year-old cleric for the rape of a minor. Reports of the rape led to mob gathering outside the mosque where the incident took place. The accused was arrested and charged under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He remains in judicial custody as the police continue to investigate the incident.

On Sunday, May 30 a 12-year-old girl went to her local mosque in North East Delhi’s Harsh Vihar area alone around 10:00 p.m. local time. She reportedly had gone to the place of worship to get water. She was attacked by the cleric at the mosque. He raped her and let her return home.

Upon returning home, the girl narrated the ordeal to her parents. The victim’s family went to their local police station to lodge a complaint. They informed the police that the girl had been sexually assaulted while trying to get water from the mosque.

The parent consequently lodged a First Information Report (FIR) with the local police. Acting on the FIR the police launched an investigation into the incident. The victim was in a stable condition but was taken to a hospital for medical examination as a part of the investigation. She will be receiving counseling for the traumatic ordeal.

Swift action taken by the police led to the accused’s arrest from Loni District in Ghaziabad, India Today reported. The arrest took place on Monday, May 31. Following the arrest, the accused was presented in a local court. He was charged under relevant sections of the POCSO Act and section 376 (rape) of the IPC. The court ordered the accused to remain in police custody for 14-days while the investigation continues.

Angered by reports of the crime, a mob of locals gathered outside the mosque where the incident occurred. Police presence was required to defuse the situation and prevent any further incidents.

The resident of Loni is originally from Bharatpur in Rajasthan, a state in western India. He lived in Ghaziabad with his wife and four children. The accused was known to the victim as she used to learn the Koran from the accused, the Hindu reported.