6-year-old lured with chocolates, raped inside mosque in Karnataka’s Chikkaballapura district

BENGALURU: A 55-year-old merchant, who is also the father of a Muslim cleric has been arrested on charges of raping a six-year-old girl inside a mosque in Karnataka’s Chikkaballapura district. The accused, identified as Mefuz, was taken into custody late on Tuesday following a complaint lodged by the child’s mother. According to police, Mefuz allegedly lured the girl with chocolates before leading her into a secluded room within the mosque premises, where the assault is said to have occurred. The incident came to light when the victim emerged from the room in distress, prompting her mother—who was nearby—to question her.

(The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)