The Nedumangadu Police detained three accused in Thiruvanathapuram district after a child marriage of a 16-year-old rape victim came to light. Those arrested include Al Ameer (23), a native of Panavoor in Thiruvananthapuram who ‘married’ the minor, Anwar Sadath (39), the Ustad (Muslim cleric) from Thrissur who solemnized the child marriage, and the girl’s father.
All three accused were charged under various provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, according to the police.
Local police confirmed that Ameer was granted bail after spending four months in prison for the rape of the same minor girl in 2021. The marriage occurred at a private function at the girl’s house on 18 January. The shameful incident was disclosed on Monday following the arrests.
The atrocious event came into public view after school authorities from a hilly area of the district tipped off the police. School authorities inquired when the victim, a Plus One student, failed to come to school under Thiruvananthapuram Rural. This was when they got the information about child marriage. The school authorities filed a written complaint with Nedumangadu police.
Local media reported that Ameer, the primary suspect, has multiple criminal cases against his name. That includes at least two rape charges, assault cases, and possession of weapons. He groomed the minor girl many years ago and exploited her. He kidnapped the minor and took her to places like Hyderabad and Vijayawada, where she was raped.
On the complaint of the girl’s father, the police arrested the suspect from Ernakulam in 2021 and imprisoned him. The accused, who got out of jail on bail, started harassing the girl again. The wretched parents intervened again but kept quiet after learning the accused’s underworld links and his history of crimes.
Ameer began appearing at the girl’s house at night, and the rapes continued. Finally, the parents gave up and agreed to Ameer’s marriage proposal. Mysteriously, Nedumangadu police never intervened all this while. A quick online search of the police station does not provide a rosy picture. It shows police allegedly acting like goons and the honest ones getting transferred as per the whims and fancies of the political class in Thiruvananthapuram.
Sadath, the Ustad, is a Thiruvananthapuram native but works at a mosque in Thrissur. The Muslim cleric organized child marriage secretly and made all the arrangements. The wedding occurred at the girl’s home, with only close relatives present. It was also attended by the groom’s family and close relatives.
Police recorded the victim’s statement that the child marriage happened and that the accused had exploited her. Her father and Ameer were taken into custody from the girl’s house. The Ustad was arrested from a village in Nedumangad taluk.
They were taken into custody at night, and their arrests were recorded. The detained individuals were presented in court and remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.
Authorities refused to reveal the victim’s father’s name or religious identity. There are allegations of the involvement of the conversion mafia in the whole incident. Kerala police are yet to ascertain or arrest the other guests who attended and approved the child marriage.
https://hindupost.in/featured/muslim-child-marriage-reported-from-kerala/