Srinagar: A court in Jammu and Kashmir has convicted a self-styled faith healer for committing unnatural offences against children who visited him for religious lessons.
Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sopore, Mir Wajahat on Monday found Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh guilty under Section 377 (unnatural offences) of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC). The case against Sheikh was registered at Bomai police station in 2016 after a complaint was filed by the father of one of the victims.
“The accused, Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh, is convicted under Section 377, RPC for committing unnatural offences against PW3 and PW8. The established legal principles governing sexual offences leave no room for doubt regarding the accused’s guilt. He subjected PW3 and PW8 to unnatural sexual intercourse during their minority, exploiting their vulnerability under the guise of offering blessings,” the court stated in its order.
The court further noted that Sheikh “dominated their will, manipulated their psyche and exerted control,” subjecting them to years of abuse while maintaining a façade of religious authority.
Several prosecution witnesses testified against Sheikh, recounting their suffering. “Their testimonies remain unwaveringly consistent,” the court observed, adding that further investigations will continue to determine if additional victims, including those who were not examined in this case, also deserve justice.
“If this judgment serves as a catalyst for those silent voices who have long endured unspeakable trauma, struggled in the shadows of despair and now look toward the law with the last vestiges of hope, then justice has, in some measure, already begun to prevail,” the court stated.
The court emphasized that while the testimonies of other victims reinforced the prosecution’s case, separate proceedings would be needed to ensure procedural fairness. “These testimonies, while reinforcing the prosecution’s case, require separate determination to uphold procedural fairness and prevent any prejudice to the accused,” it said.
Sheikh now faces sentencing, and further legal action may be taken against him as more victims come forward.
