Cleric held for molesting 13-year-old girl: Police

A 32-year-old cleric was today arrested for allegedly molesting a teenaged girl at Vasco, 40 kms from here, police said.
Safraj Ahmad, who is a cleric at a local mosque, was arrested this morning after the 13-year-old girl's mother lodged a formal complaint with the police, they said.
"The accused allegedly molested the girl in his house on February 15 where she had gone to fetch some utensils. The family of the girl had delivered food for the accused on the earlier day and the victim was sent to collect the utensils," a police spokesman said today.
The girl had initially maintained silence over the incident but later confided in her mother.

The mother then approached Local NGO 'Savera' led by Tara Kerkar, who advised the family to file a formal complaint against the accused.
A case under section 354 and 354-A of Indian Penal Code and section 8 of Goa Children's Act has been registered against the accused, who was immediately placed under arrest, police added.