In a major landmark verdict in cases of crime against minors, a fast-track court in Taliparamba has awarded 187 years jail sentence to a Madrasa teacher, Mohammed Rafi (41), for sexually assaulting a minor student. The convicted Madrasa teacher sexually exploited the minor student for nearly two years during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
Judge R Rajesh pronounced the harsh punishment to Mohammed Rafi finding that he was a repeat offender who was previously convicted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, as informed by the Public Prosecutor Adv Sherymol Jose. Rafi (41) is a native of Udayagiri in Alakode panchayat.
On 8th April, the special court found Rafi guilty on seven counts of sexual offences under the POCSO Act and the Indian Penal Code.
As per the prosecution, Rafi started abusing the minor when she was just 14 years old in March 2020 and the COVID-19 lockdown was imposed.
Adv Sherymol Jose said, “She was at the tail end of Class 7 when he started abusing her. It continued until December 2021.”
He threatened to curse her warning not to reveal her ordeal to anyone. However, the crime came to the fore when the girl’s parents, concerned about her declining grades and noticeable changes in her emotional well-being, took her to a counselling centre in Kannur.
The prosecutor said, “That’s where she first revealed what was happening to her.”
The court handed down multiple prison terms under various sections of the POCSO Act and IPC, to run consecutively –
50 years under Section 5(t) of the POCSO Act – For repeat offenders committing penetrative sexual assault on a child
25 years under Section 376(3) of the IPC – For raping a child below 16 years of age
2 years under Section 506(2) of the IPC – For criminal intimidation
35 years each under Sections 5(l) and 5(f) of the POCSO Act – For repeated rape by a person in a position of trust (e.g., a teacher)
20 years under POCSO – For penetrative sexual assault
20 years under POCSO — For forced oral sex
The prosecutor said, “Since the sentences will run concurrently, Rafi will effectively serve 50 years in prison.”
The court also imposed a total fine of Rs. 9.10 lakh for the seven charges.
Previously, the Madrasa teacher Mohammed Rafi was convicted of sexually assaulting another minor student at a madrasa under the Valapattanam Police Station jurisdiction. He was out on parole in that case, during the trial period. He committed both the heinous crimes before his first conviction, highlighting a pattern of predatory behaviour.
