(INDIA)
Organiser.org [Dehli, India]
November 1, 2026
By T Satisan
Habeebiyya Islamic Academy Director Mohammed Niyas Jauhari was arrested in Kollam on November 1 for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl under the pretext of spiritual healing.
Mohammed Niyas Jauhari, Director of Habeebiyya Islamic Academy, religious scholar and vlogger, was arrested on November 1 in Kollam for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl under the pretext of spiritual healing.
The girl had approached him along with her grandmother. Mohammed Niyas had reportedly sexually assaulted the girl between 2025 and 2026 at various places. He took the girl to several places, citing various reasons, and assaulted her in a brutal manner. He kept impressing upon the girl that her physical illness would be cured through prayers. Mohammed Niyas has now been arrested under the POCSO Act.
On June 20, 2026, the Kerala High Court denied bail to a 63-year-old mosque priest who had allegedly sexually assaulted an eight-year-old girl student at the madrasa. The court said that it appeared to be a “premeditated criminal act”.
In both cases, the victims were innocent but had respected and trusted the accused as godmen. The culprits were exploiting the trust they commanded. There are several cases of madrasa incidents. They are all examples of the exploitation of trust.
There are reports that, in several cases, parents hush up the matter for fear of inviting the wrath of the clergy. For ordinary and poor people, it is difficult to offend the clergy because they are afraid that they will be ostracised from the mainstream of society.
Moreover, if bad news is spread about a girl, it will circulate fast. It will affect the future life of that girl. But now, as a silver lining in the otherwise cloudy atmosphere, parents are gradually coming forward to complain to the authorities when similar incidents happen to their children.
If they keep taking bold steps in the future, this social evil can be countered and demolished.