Mosque imam arrested for sexually assaulting 14-year-old boy

In Thrissur district of Kerala, the imam of the mosque, who went into hiding, has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy while studying Islam religion. The arrested has been identified as Kuzhikandathil Basheer Saqafi (52), a native of Karuppadanna and a madrassa teacher and former imam of Anthikkad Muslim Juma'ath Mosque.

On April 18, Basheer called the 14-year-old boy to his residence and raped him. The police registered a case on May 2 after the incident was reported to the house. Basheer Saqafi was absconding after the incident. The accused, who was arrested under pocso section, has been remanded.