55-Year-Old Cloth Seller Arrested; Crime Sparks Outrage Over Misuse of Religious Property
Chikkaballapur: A horrifying crime has rocked the peaceful town of Chikkaballapur, as a six-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a 55-year-old man inside a room of Shams Masjid, shaking the very conscience of the community. The incident has raised serious questions about the use of religious properties for non-religious shelter and the lack of oversight in sacred premises.
The accused, Mahfuz, a native of Uttar Pradesh, who has been residing in Chikkaballapur for over 20 years, was arrested after a complaint was lodged by the victim's mother at the Women’s Police Station. He has been remanded to judicial custody.
Crime in the Name of Shelter
The mosque room where the alleged rape took place had been allotted by the Jamaat for the shelter of a maulvi, Suheb—the accused’s son, who serves at another mosque. Instead of being used for religious service, the room was occupied by Mahfuz, who misused the space in the worst way imaginable.
According to police reports, Mahfuz allegedly lured the minor girl with chocolates and took her to the room, where he committed the crime. The mother of the victim, upon discovering the incident, physically attacked the accused in a fit of rage before alerting the police.
Community Boils Over Misuse of Mosque Property
As news of the incident spread, locals gathered at the mosque premises and confronted Maulvi Suheb, questioning how the accused was allowed to stay in a space meant for religious duties. The public outrage quickly escalated, with many demanding accountability from the mosque committee.
“How can a man be allowed to live in a mosque room without proper supervision? This is not just a crime, it’s a disgrace,”
said one angry resident during a heated confrontation outside Shams Masjid.
The local Muslim community expressed deep anger and disappointment, calling for the removal of those responsible for oversight lapses.
Who Is Mahfuz?
Mahfuz, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, came to Chikkaballapur two decades ago and runs a street-side cloth business. Locals claim he was known in the area but had no official permission to reside on the mosque premises.
His son, Suheb, who works as a maulvi in another mosque, had reportedly allowed his father to stay in the room temporarily, a decision that has now sparked fury among the public.
Legal Action Underway
Police have confirmed that a case under relevant sections of the POCSO Act and IPC has been registered, and further investigation is ongoing.
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