Muslim cleric arrested for 'teenager's rape'

Mumbai Police arrest a maulvi (cleric) of a suburban mosque in Mumbai for allegedly raping a 19-year-old girl.

Mumbai Police on Wednesday arrested a maulvi (cleric) of a suburban mosque in Mumbai for allegedly raping a 19-year-old girl.

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The maulvi, Altaf Munshi, 47, was nabbed on Wednesday morning after the girl lodged a complaint against him late on Tuesday night. Altaf is a maulvi at the Medina Mosque in Vikhroli.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Datta Karale told IANS, "Yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon Altaf asked the girl, who stays few buildings away, to come to his house to help him with some religious ceremonies."

Karale said when the girl went to his house, Altaf assaulted and raped her. The victim Tuesday night lodged a complaint with the Vihroli police. Shortly thereafter, the police arrested the maulvi.

The girl has been admitted to a hospital for medical check-up while the maulvi has been charged with rape and sexual assault.