Perod Saqafi booked for abusive speech against girl child

[email protected] (CD Network)
November 23, 2014

Kozhikode, Nov 23: Perod Abdurahiman Saqafi, the secretary of the All India Sunni Jam-Iyyathul Ulema, has strongly defended his abusive remarks against a four-and-a-half-year-old girl, who had been allegedly raped by two senior students last month.

perodsaqafi

The police have registered a case against Mr Saqafi, who is one of the senior administrative board members of the Parakkadavu Darul Huda English Medium School, where the girl child was sexually assaulted on October 30. The case was registered under Section 500 (Punishment for defamation) and Section 201 (punishment for giving false information to screen the offender) of the Indian Penal Code. He was also charged under Section 23 (Punishment for cruelty to juvenile or child) of the Juvenile Justice Act.

However, Mr Saqafi, who one of the close associates of Kanthapuram A P Aboobakar Musaliar, insisted that he had stated nothing wrong in his “clarification speech” delivered on November 11 at the same school.

Mr Saqafi had apparently insulted the child in his speech saying “If such a thing (sexual assault) happened, girl should have died, fainted, should have been covered with blood or should have at least screamed…”

Mother shocked

The mother of the victim has expressed shock over the abusive remarks by Mr Saqafi. “No human being can tolerate such abusive words against a girl child. He is an inhuman cleric. He should be punished for this crime. He is shielding the rapists,” she said. In his complaint, the girl's father has accused Mr Saqafi of tarnishing the image of the girl child and her family.

Two arrested

It was on October 30 that the sexual assault against the kindergarten student reportedly occurred. The incident came to light after the girl complained of nausea and pain. Two senior students of the school were arrested on November 15 in connection with the incident. They were charged under IPC 376 (rape) and relevant provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

Conspiracy

Meanwhile, the Samastha Kerala Sunni Students Federation (SKSSF), the students' wing of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, has accused a Congress Minister of trying to scuttle the probe into the sexual assault on the girl child.

The office-bearers of the organisations owing allegiance to the E K Sunni faction alleged that this Congress leader from north Kerala had hatched a conspiracy to help the school management. They also accused Mr Saqafi of trying to suppress the incident and exert pleasure on girl's family.

The Sunni organisations demanded either a judicial inquiry or a probe by a special investigation team monitored by the High Court into the incident. The police should interrogate Mr Saqafi and his aides in the school to bring out the truth, they said.

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru CEN police have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly posting provocative and misleading content on an Instagram page named “mr_a_titude”, targeting the Bajpe police.

Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H identified the arrested as Abhishek M, a resident of Katipalla in Mangaluru.

A case has been registered at the Bajpe Police Station under Sections 353(1)(c), 353(2), 56, and 57 read with Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the post.

According to police, the accused uploaded a photograph of a hotel on the Instagram page and alleged that accused persons in a murder case under the Bajpe police jurisdiction were being given “royal treatment” by the police, including being served beef meals daily from the hotel.

The post further accused the police of supporting criminals, misusing their authority, and betraying public trust. Police said the content was provocative in nature and aimed at inciting public outrage against the police.

Following the post, a case was registered at the Bajpe police station, and further investigation was transferred to the CEN police station.

Police records indicate that the accused has a criminal history, with multiple cases registered against him, including murder, attempt to murder, assault, and robbery at the Surathkal Police Station, and one case at the Kaup Police Station.

The Commissioner said the accused was traced and arrested using technical evidence.

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News Network
December 16,2025

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Melkar (Bantwal): The 9th Annual Day celebration of SMR Public School, titled “EXCELLENTIA”, was held on December 15 with great enthusiasm and dignity, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and holistic development.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. U. T. Iftikar Ali. The chief guests were Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Mr. P. Moosabba Beary, Mr. Zakaria Jokattre, and Dr. T. M. Abdul Rahuf—whose inspiring addresses motivated the students and appreciated the school’s contributions to education.

Mr. Abdul Nasir, Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar, Mr. Razak Golthamajal, Mr. Sali Koya, Mr. Arshad Hussain, Mr. Ismail Balanoor, Mr. Feroz Bawa, Mr. Sahul Hameed, Mr. Abubakkar, Mr. Hameed K. Mani, Mr. Abdul Majeed (Principal, Melkar Women’s College), and Mr. Abdul Lathief (Former Principal, Melkar Women’s College) were the guests of honour.

The Annual Report was presented by the Headmistress, Ms. Fathimathul Zaheera, highlighting the school’s achievements and progress during the academic year. The Presidential Address was delivered by the Chairman of SMR Public School, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasised the vital role of education in shaping students’ futures and stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and consistent effort in achieving 100 per cent academic results.

Secretary of SMR Public School, Mr. Rifath Ahmed, and PTA President, Mr. Sandeep Kumar, were also present on the occasion.

The Annual Day celebration showcased the collective efforts of students and teachers and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to quality education and all-round development. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, parents, and well-wishers for their support. The 9th Annual Day—EXCELLENTIA—was a memorable and successful event, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present. 

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News Network
December 7,2025

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Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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