The arrest of Deoband Ulema Masood Madani in rape charge exposes how innocent women were sexually exploited by high profile Muslim leader
Surender Singhal
Deoband, which is normally in the news for issuing baseless fatwas, is again in the news— surely for wrong reasons. A high-profile local Muslim leader, Masood Madani, was arrested by police for raping a woman from Haryana in the name of magical remedies (Tantra Mantra). The police investigation reveals that the accused raped over two dozen women in the past. Following the complaint of the victim, the police arrested Madani in March. Since then he has been in jail. According to reports, chargesheet in the case has been filed on April 4.
This incident has exposed the racket that was active in Deoband and in surrounding areas to trap innocent women, mostly Hindus. The racket members used to send the women to Madani for magical remedies, who then exploited them in different ways. However, the exploited women did not disclose the crime to anyone due to the fear of insult, but the bold Haryana lady refused to stay mum and she not only filed a complaint in the police but also ensured that Madani is put behind the bars. Had this brave lady not raised her voice, Madani would have continued to exploit other women. However, other associates of Madani are yet to be arrested.
Masood Madani held a Minister rank in Uttarakhand government and his father, Asad Madani, was a member of Darul Uloom’s managing committee. His brother Mahmood Madani has been Rajya Sabha MP and is general secretary of Jamiat-e-Ulema a Hind.
According to DIG Saharanpur Jitendra Kumar Shahi, a 25 year old lady belonging to Jind District of Haryana, filed a rape case at Deoband Kotwali against Deobandi scholar Masood Madani, son of Asad Madani who was former MP and member of Darul Uloom Deoband managing committee) on March 17. The lady informed the police that she got married in 2013 but was issuless. She, along with her husband, went to Piran Kaliyar near Roorkie to seek blessings for a child. But a Maulavi there sent the couple to Madani in Deoband for magical remedies. The couple then went to Deoband on March 9 and met Madani. Madani then sent her husband to offer a chadar to a Dargah and assured the lady that she would definitely have a child if she followed his instructions. He told her to come alone any day after Holi. Masood also got her mobile number. Then the couple returned back. But Masood stayed in contact with the lady and assured her on phone also that she would definitely have a child.
The lady finally reached Deoband on March 16 without informing her family members. Masood took her to his hideout from Mangalore Bus Stand and performed some magics for about two hours. Meanwhile, he captured her mobile phone. When Masood tried to molest her she strongly resisted. But Madani continued to overpower her. He finally raped her twice at night. Then he informed her that he had done the same with 24 other women and they now have issues. Hence, she should return home silently. Masood dropped her at the Bus Stand on March 17 so that she could go back to her home. He also returned her mobile phone. As Madani left the Bus Stand, the lady reached the Railway Police Post and informed the policemen about the incident. Then the policemen took her to Deoband Kotwali and also informed her family members of the incident.
The lady filed a complaint of rape at Kotwali against Masood Madani. The police recorded her statement under 164 of CRPC. The medical examination also confirmed rape. Finally, police arrested Madani.
According to SSP Saharanpur Lav Kumar, the police are yet to arrest the Maulavi of Piran Kaliyar who sent the couple to Madani. The SSP made it clear that the police teams were searching other members of the racket. Madani has confessed his crime before the police and the Magistrate.
Interestingly, Deobandi Ulemas are silent over the incident. But the Hindu organisations are extremely agitated. They are demanding arrest of all people involved in the crime as Madani is not alone in the racket. n
