Thiruvananthapuram: A team of Kerala Police has left for Bengaluru believing that Imam Shafeeq Al Qasimi, who is accused of raping a minor girl, is hiding there.
The police left for Bengaluru after the Imam’s brother Al Ameen revealed under questioning that the Imam has escaped to the capital city of Karnataka. The police also suspect that the absconding Imam is hiding along with another brother, Noushad.
The Imam had left for Bengaluru after ditching his vehicle at Ernakulam Mobility Hub. His brothers have been misleading the police with contradictory statements to confuse the police and help the Imam escape arrest.
Shafeeq Al Qasimi, who is the Imam of Tholicode Mosque, is accused of raping a minor after taking her to a forest area at Peppara. The incident came to light after a group of women spotted the Imam with the girl in an SUV.
The Imam escaped arrest after the girl refused to give a statement to the Child Welfare Committee. The police registered a case under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences after President of Jama’ath, Badhusha gave a complaint against the erring Imam.
Safeeq Al Qasimi was State Council member of All India Imams Council, a body with a close connection to Popular Front of India.
