The Kerala High Court has upheld the conviction and 20-year rigorous imprisonment awarded to a Madrasa teacher Ustad Rashid, for sexually abusing a nine-year-old student, ruling that the testimony of the child survivor was trustworthy and sufficient to sustain the conviction.
On June 16, the Justice A. Badharudeen dismissed criminal appeal filed by the accused, Rasheed, challenging the judgment of the POCSO Court, Kunnamkulam, which had convicted him POCSO Act, and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act. The judgment was delivered on June 12, 2026.
The High Court noted that the prosecution had established that the accused was serving as an Usthad (Madrasa teacher) at Noorul Hidaya Madrassa, Mullassery, and that the victim, then aged nine years, was a student of the institution.
The incident in question occurred during the COVID-19 period in 2020. The Madrasa teacher invited the boy to his house during the lockdown period in August 2020, promising that he would clarify some doubts in connection with the online examinations.
When the boy reached his house, he sexually abused him. The boy somehow escaped from the Ustad and ran to his house. There, he disclosed the incident to his mother. Then his parents moved the court.
The madrasa teacher contended that the conviction was based primarily on the testimony of the child witness and argued that the evidence was unreliable. The defence further alleged that the case was the result of sectarian rivalry within the Muslim community, claiming that the accused, a Sunni, had been falsely implicated by members belonging to another sect.
Rejecting these submissions, the High Court observed that the testimony of the child survivor remained consistent and unshaken during cross-examination.
The court further found no basis for the allegation of sectarian conspiracy and remarked: During the appeal, the defence argued that the accused, who belonged to the Sunni sect, had been falsely implicated by persons belonging to rival Islamic sects.
The court records show that during cross-examination, references were made to individuals associated with the Mujahid and Jamaat-e-Islami sects. The defence suggested that Mustafa, a relative of the victim, belonged to the Mujahid sect, while another relative, Abdul Azeez, belonged to the Jamaat-e-Islami sect, and that the case was fabricated because the accused used to preach against other sects.
The High Court examined the evidence relating to this contention. The Secretary of Sidhiquel Akbar Juma Masjid, acknowledged during cross-examination that the accused belonged to the Sunni sect, that the late Mustafa belonged to the Mujahid sect and that Abdul Azeez belonged to the Jamaat-e-Islami sect. However, the witness denied the suggestion that they had conspired to foist a false case against the accused.
The judgment records that the child disclosed the incident to his mother shortly after the occurrence, following which the matter was reported to the police. The prosecution examined twenty witnesses and produced documentary and medical evidence in support of the charges.
The High Court also took note of evidence from the mosque committee secretary, who testified that the accused had been appointed as Usthad in 2020.
Affirming the findings of the Special Court, Justice Badharudeen concluded that there were no contradictions or infirmities warranting interference with the conviction. The court held that the defence arguments were “bereft of merit” and confirmed the punishment imposed by the trial court.
Therefore, it rejected Rashid’s argument. Justice Badarudheen ruled that the minimum punishment in a POCSO case is 20 years’ imprisonment; hence, this punishment cannot be replaced.
POCSO Cases Involving Madrasa Teachers
In recent years, Kerala has witnessed several POCSO cases, particularly involving Madrasa teachers accused of sexually assaulting and exploiting minor children.
Aluva Minor Girl Rape and Murder Case: Accused Awarded Death Sentence
The Ernakulam POCSO Court awarded the death sentence to Asafaq Alam in November 2023 for the rape and murder of a five-year-old girl in Aluva. The crime, took place in July 2023 when the child was abducted, sexually assaulted and murdered. Following an expedited investigation and trial, the court convicted the accused and imposed capital punishment, making it one of the most significant POCSO verdicts delivered in the state.
Three Madrasa Teachers Arrested in Child Sexual Abuse Cases
In November 2023, Kerala Police arrested three madrasa teachers in separate cases involving the sexual abuse of minor children. The arrests were made following complaints filed under the POCSO Act.
Madrasa teacher Booked for Sharing Obscene Videos with Girls
In June 2026, madrasa ustad Shemeer Asari was booked after allegedly circulating obscene videos to girls through a WhatsApp group. Reports stated that the group was used to communicate with students and that the accused encouraged the girls to imitate the acts shown in the videos.
Madrasa Teacher Sentenced to 86 Years in POCSO Case
A Kerala court sentenced madrasa teacher Jabir Ali to 86 years of imprisonment after finding him guilty of repeatedly raping a 12-year-old girl. The court delivered the verdict in July 2025 after concluding that the prosecution had established the charges beyond doubt. The sentence was among the longest awarded in a POCSO case in Kerala.
Madrasa Teacher Awarded 187 Years’ Imprisonment
In April 2025, a Kerala court sentenced a madrasa teacher to a cumulative prison term of 187 years for sexually assaulting minor children during the COVID-19 period. The court convicted the accused on multiple counts under the POCSO Act and related provisions of law.
Madrasa Teacher Abdul Sentenced to 14 Years Rigorous Imprisonment
A Kerala court sentenced madrasa teacher Abdul to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment in January 2026 for sexually assaulting a minor girl. The conviction came after the court accepted the prosecution’s evidence and found the accused guilty under the POCSO Act.
Karate Teacher Arrested in POCSO Case Involving Student
Karate instructor Siddique Ali was arrested under the POCSO Act in February 2024 in connection with the rape and murder of a 17-year-old student. The arrest followed an investigation into the student’s death.
