Muslim man acquitted of rape charges 4 years after jail in Madhya Pradesh
New Delhi: In a glaring example of how Muslims are targeted in India on baseless charges, a 55-year-old man, Shafiq Ansari, has been acquitted of rape charges four years after being falsely accused, jailed, and having his house demolished following allegations by a woman in Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh district.
While acquitting Ansari, the court said that the woman levelled the rape allegation against him as her house was demolished on the complaint of Ansari.
“The prosecution has completely failed to prove the fact that on 04.02.2021 between 22:30 and 22:50 hrs., accused Shafiq “wrongfully confined” the prosecutrix inside his house situated at Ward No. 3, Amankhel Sarangpur under Police Station Sarangpur area and prevented her from moving in any direction and committed rape”.
Consequently, Shafiq is acquitted of the charges under sections 342, 376, 506 Part-2 Indian Penal Code, 1860 and accused Iqbal and Mohammad Ehasan are acquitted of the charges under sections 341, 353 and 212 Indian Penal Code, 1860.,” noted Judge Chitrendra Singh Solanki in a judgement delivered on 14 February.
In March 2021, Ansari, who was the councillor from Sarangpur area in Rajgarh district, was booked by the local police. His son and brother were also booked and arrested on the charges of obstructing the officials from carrying out their duties. Later in March 2022, his expensive house was demolished by the authorities alleging that the house was built without following the legal procedures.
Ansari was kept in jail for three months till he was granted bail by the Indore High Court. His son and brother were also released on bail. Speaking to the media, Ansari said that the rape allegation and the demolition of his house damaged his reputation and caused a lot of trouble.
“I was deeply distressed due to this case. I suffered mentally and economically. My family also was in trouble. We were rendered homeless due to the house demolition. We had stopped going to anywhere and attending the marriage function. My reputation was damaged,” he said.
However, he had got massive support from local people as they were aware about the false allegations. That’s why, his wife won as a councillor in the municipal elections held in July 2022.
“It gives impression that the people believe that the rape allegations levelled against me is false. It gives us a courage. People helped me to win the elections and defeated our rivals. My wife won the elections with highest margin,” said Ansari.
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