Although the Fast Track Court, Jammu, took nearly eight years to punish the culprit for committing a heinous crime, the court, in a stern message, has awarded nine years of rigorous imprisonment to Mohammad Shahnawaz for attempting to rape a seven-year-old girl in a madrassa on the outskirts of Jammu.
The court observed that the offence was grave and that the convict’s position as a religious tutor further aggravated the breach of trust.
The sentence was pronounced by Presiding Officer Amarjeet Singh Langeh in a case arising out of FIR No. 52/2018 of Police Station Nagrota, after the accused was convicted on February 24, 2026, for the offence under Section 511 read with Section 376(2)(f) of the RPC.
The prosecution, represented by Additional Public Prosecutors (APPs) Ashwani Kumar and Shazia Choudhary, pressed for maximum punishment, highlighting the seriousness of the offence.
As per the prosecution’s case, the minor victim used to attend religious lessons at Katal Batal Masjid, where the accused was posted as a religious teacher. On March 12, 2018, the accused allegedly sent the other children away and took the victim to an adjoining room, where he attempted to commit the crime.
During the trial, the prosecution examined 16 witnesses, including the victim, her mother, close relatives, independent witnesses, medical experts, and the Investigating Officer. The court held that the testimony of the child victim was natural, cogent, and trustworthy, and did not suffer from any material contradictions.
While awarding the sentence, the court imposed nine years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000, directing that Rs 25,000 (if deposited) be paid to the victim and the remaining amount be remitted to the Government Treasury. In default of payment of the fine, the convict will undergo an additional six months of rigorous imprisonment.
The court further ordered that the period already undergone shall be set off against the sentence and directed that the convict be lodged in District Jail, Amphalla, Jammu, to serve the remainder of the sentence.
Noting the need for victim support, the court also recommended compensation under the Jammu & Kashmir Victim Compensation Scheme, 2019, and directed that a copy of the order be sent to the District Legal Services Authority, Jammu, for necessary action.
Narco-terror accused’s bail plea rejected
The court of the Third Additional Sessions Judge (authorized under Section 22 of the NIA Act) in Jammu rejected the bail plea of Mohammad Yusuf, alias Shamma of Narwal Bala, who is facing cases related to narco-terrorism and arms seizures. The court observed that granting bail to the accused could adversely impact the ongoing investigation into offenses under the UAPA.
The bail plea relates to a case registered at Police Station Gandhi Nagar, Jammu. According to case records, the police stated that a patrol party intercepted two individuals, Karan Sharma and Niklesh Verma, near the Shastri Nagar crematorium and recovered 3.26 kg of narcotic substances, including 1.630 kg of a heroin-like substance. Their arrest led to the discovery of further links.
Based on the investigation, Mohammad Yusuf, alias Shamma, was arrested as a forward-linkage accused. At his instance, a heroin-like substance and a digital weighing machine were recovered. The defence argued that only a limited quantity was recovered from him and, therefore, the commercial quantity clause under Section 37 of the NDPS Act should not apply.
The court found that the applicant was a co-accused in a case in which the public prosecutor alleged the recovery of a large quantity of heroin and several pistols. It was observed that he was part of an influential organized crime network.
Noting that the investigation was still ongoing and that his release at this stage could adversely affect the probe, the court dismissed the bail plea as premature and frivolous and refused to grant bail.
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