The Kerala police on Monday have arrested a teacher in a Madarsa in Kolathur, Malappuram district for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in the institution. After an initial investigation found that the institution was illegal and was running without a licence, 12 more girls have been rescued from there and have been shifted elsewhere.
According to reports, some of the girls had used the state child helpline number to complain to the authorities about the alleged assault. Malappuram childline chief co-ordinator Anwar Karakkad has been quoted by Hindustan Times saying, “We got a tip-off. One of the 3 children admitted that she was sexually exploited by teacher A Rafeeq and we alerted the police immediately.”
Anwar has also stated that the Madarsa was running without permission and the girls were all from poor families. It was a Madarsa where the girls used to live too. The girls were rescued and were sent to a state shelter home.
Medical examination of the underage victim has confirmed sexual assault. The accused teacher Mohammad Rafeeq has been arrested and under POCSO Act. Kolathur SHO K Madhu has informed that the investigation is undergoing and the police are trying to ascertain whether any other children were assaulted by Rafeeq.
As per reports, the accused teacher A Rfeeq is 35. He used to teach Arabic in the institution which was being run as a religious and Arabic learning centre with boarding facilities. Taking advantage of the caretaker being absent, he had assaulted the girl.