Local leader arrested for sexual assault of minor girl in Baramulla

Srinagar, Jun 10: Police on Wednesday arrested a local leader on charges of sexually assaulting a minor girl in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Officials said Riyaz Ahmad Shaikh, a resident of Nowshera in Boniyar Tehsil, was arrested following a 17-year-old girl’s complaint of sexual assault.

A case has been registered against Shaikh, who was associated with the BJP, under sections 137(2) and 331 (2) BNS, the official said. Section 7/8 POCSO (non-penetrative sexual assault against a child) Act was also added to the the case against Shaikh after the victim recorded her statement under section 183 BNSS, he said.

However, BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur said Shaikh left the party more than a decade ago.

“The person in question has not been associated with the BJP since 2014,” he said. (PTI)