A disturbing incident has come to light in the Budhana police jurisdiction of Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh. Allegations of rape have been leveled against the Imam of a local madrasa by a nine-year-old girl.

Following the registration of a case by the police upon learning of the incident, the accused has gone into hiding, prompting a rigorous search operation by law enforcement authorities.

According to the complaint filed by the victim’s sister, the accused Imam used to call young children separately for teaching sessions at the madrasa.

On Saturday (23 September), he summoned the children as usual. Once their lessons were complete, the Maulana detained the victim and sent the other children away. Subsequently, he subjected the girl to a horrifying sexual assault within a secluded room.

Upon reaching home, the victim informed her family about the unspeakable ordeal she had endured at the hands of the Imam.

This revelation incited her enraged relatives to rush to the madrasa, but by the time they arrived, the accused Imam had managed to flee the scene.

Consequently, the family accompanied the girl to the police station, where they registered a formal complaint against the Imam. The young girl has been sent for a medical examination at the district hospital in Muzaffarnagar.

In response to the family’s complaint, the police have initiated a manhunt to apprehend the accused Imam. The search efforts extend to potential locations where he may be hiding.

The police have applied relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against the accused.

Himanshu Gaurav, the Circle Officer (CO) of the Budhana region, confirmed that a First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against the accused Imam under sections related to sexual assault and the POCSO Act at the Budhana police station.

Two teams have been formed to expedite the arrest of the suspect, and it is expected that he will be apprehended soon, followed by further legal proceedings.