In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves through the city of Kanpur, the Uttar Pradesh Police, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, have arrested Maulana Sonu Hafiz, a local cleric, for the heinous crime of raping a 14-year-old girl and subsequently forcing her to undergo an abortion.
The arrest comes after a thorough investigation into the allegations leveled against Hafiz, who stands accused of exploiting the minor over a period of three months. According to the police, the accused not only subjected the young girl to repeated sexual assaults but also provided her with abortion pills to terminate her pregnancy, which resulted from his despicable actions.
Compounding the gravity of his crimes, Hafiz is alleged to have intimidated and threatened the victim and her family, attempting to silence them and evade the consequences of his actions.
In a swift and decisive response, the Uttar Pradesh Police have slapped Hafiz with a series of charges, reflecting the severity of his offenses. He faces charges under sections 511 (attempting to commit an offense punishable with life imprisonment), 506 (criminal intimidation), 376 (rape), and 313 (causing miscarriage without woman's consent) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Additionally, he has been charged under the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, which carries severe penalties for crimes against minors.
The arrest of Maulana Sonu Hafiz has been lauded by child rights activists and civil society organizations, who have long advocated for stricter enforcement of laws protecting minors from sexual exploitation. The Yogi Adityanath-led government's commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety of children has been widely praised in the wake of this incident.
As the legal proceedings against Hafiz unfold, the case has once again highlighted the urgent need for increased vigilance, education, and awareness regarding the protection of children from predators who abuse their positions of trust and authority.
