Suhail Khan
Sopore, Feb 18: A court in north Kashmir’s Sopore has sentenced a maulvi (prayer leader) to 14 years of imprisonment for raping minor boys under the pretext of driving away the evil eye.
The sentencing order of the Chief Judicial Magistrate Sopore, a copy of which lies with Kashmir Despatch, reads: “In exercise of its powers under Sections 29 & 31 of the JK CrPC, this Court sentences the accused, Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh, as follows:
The sentencing order of the Chief Judicial Magistrate Sopore, a copy of which lies with Kashmir Despatch, reads: “In exercise of its powers under Sections 29 & 31 of the JK CrPC, this Court sentences the accused, Ajaz Ahmad Sheikh, as follows:
1. Under Section 377 RPC (Offense Against PW3): The accused is sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 50,000.
2. Default Sentence for Non-Payment of Fine: If the accused fails to pay the fine, he shall undergo six months of simple imprisonment for each default.
3. Consecutive Sentencing: The sentences shall run consecutively, meaning the accused shall serve a total of fourteen years of rigorous imprisonment.
4. Therefore, out of the fine of Rs. 50,000 imposed on the convicted for each PW8 & PW3, Rs. 5,000 each shall be deposited as fine in due course, and Rs. 45,000 each shall be paid as compensation to PW8 & PW3. This compensation shall not bar the victims from enforcing their civil or tortuous remedies against the convicted.
Advocate Ayesha Zahgeer, who assisted the prosecuting officer, confirmed the sentence to Kashmir Despatch, stating that the accused will serve 14 years in prison for his heinous crimes. She said the case, filed under FIR No. 22/2016 on March 2, 2016, was initiated by the father of one of the victims.
Advocate Nyla Noor, a member of the prosecution team, commented, “The court’s decision sends a strong message about holding perpetrators accountable for such despicable acts, especially when they exploit their position of trust.”
Mirza Zahid Khalil, Senior Public Prosecutor at the CJM court in Sopore, shared more details of the case, stating the case was registered at the Bomai Police Station in 2016, bearing FIR number 22/2016 under Section 377 of the RPC.
According to the complaint, the faith healer, Aijaz Sheikh, sexually exploited several children and then intimidated them, threatening to harm them through “peer fakiri” (a form of spiritual harm) if they told their families.
The officer noted that the case had been ongoing for morethan seven years, with a total of 14 witnesses examined, including 12 who testified in court.
Meanwhile, Chairman Civil Society Sopore, Aashiq Hussain Zaki, has reiterated the urgent need to educate children about good and bad touch, emphasizing the importance of awareness workshops to prevent incidents of child abuse.
In a statement issued to Kashmir Despatch, he said this call to action follows a significant legal victory in the fight against child exploitation, as Aijaz Sheikh of Mundji Sopore has been sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment and fined ₹10,00,000 for child molestation. This judgment serves as a strong message that crimes against children will not be tolerated, and justice will be served with the full force of the law.
Civil Society Sopore strongly condemns such heinous acts and urges the community to remain vigilant. We call upon parents, educators, and religious leaders to actively participate in child protection initiatives, ensuring that children are aware of their rights and feel safe to report abuse without fear or hesitation the statement further reads.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
