POCSO case against retired teacher triggers political row in Maniyur
She further claimed that the opposition had obtained a video clip showing the accused apologising to the girl and alleged that he had been associated with various panchayat programmes for over 15 years.
She further claimed that the opposition had obtained a video clip showing the accused apologising to the girl and alleged that he had been associated with various panchayat programmes for over 15 years.
She further claimed that the opposition had obtained a video clip showing the accused apologising to the girl and alleged that he had been associated with various panchayat programmes for over 15 years.
Kozhikode: A case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has sparked a political storm in Maniyur, Kozhikode, with the Opposition UDF accusing LDF panchayat president T K Ashraf of trying to broker a compromise instead of alerting the police. Opposition members have demanded his resignation and alleged an attempt to suppress the offence.
The incident in question took place on the evening of October 20. A 65-year-old retired schoolteacher, also an official of the organising committee for the local Keralotsavam 2025, allegedly molested a 16-year-old participant in the panchayat office compound.
Thodannur block panchayat member Sheeba B C alleged that the matter was discussed within the panchayat office that night and the president “mediated a compromise”. “This is a grave sexual offence against a minor. Instead of informing the police, the president tried to settle it internally. That is unacceptable,” she said.
The incident came to light the next day after the girl confided in her school counsellor, who informed the Payyoli police. A case was subsequently registered under the POCSO Act. “The investigation has begun, but the accused is on the run,” a police officer said.
The Opposition staged a protest on Sunday and walked out of a panchayat meeting after the ruling front refused to take up a no-confidence motion. “The FIR was filed only by the night of October 21,” Sheeba alleged. She added that the Opposition had obtained a video showing the accused apologising to the survivor and claimed he had long-standing links with the panchayat’s programmes.
Ashraf has rejected the allegations as “politically motivated” ahead of the local body elections. In a statement, he said he had “clearly instructed” that no informal discussions take place and that legal steps be initiated. “I contacted the school counsellor immediately and asked her to take appropriate action,” he said.
He maintained that the school principal filed the girl’s complaint with the Payyoli police the next morning and that the FIR was registered the same evening. “Both the school and the panchayat acted responsibly. Neither the girl nor her parents have raised any complaint about our handling of the matter,” he said.
In a Facebook post, Ashraf said the Opposition was “fishing in troubled waters” ahead of the polls. “Since they cannot lay claim to the Maniyur panchayat politically, they are resorting to false propaganda,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, the UDF and its ally Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP) have intensified protests. A women-led rally under the UDF-RMP banner is scheduled in Maniyur on Tuesday.