Ajmer: The Pocso court in Ajmer denied bail to former Bijaynagar councillor Hakim Qureshi in the sensational sex abuse case involving minor girls. The court observed that the charges against Qureshi were heinous, and forcing minor girls into religious conversion was a serious charge. Qureshi was arrested on Feb 23, and was later assaulted by an angry mob when he was being taken to the court the next day. Police submitted an 895-page chargesheet in the court on April 17. Qureshi is accused of leading a gang that lured school-going minor girls by giving them gifts like mobiles, taking them to restaurants. Members of the gang also sexually abused the victims. The gang is also accused of forcing victims to “bring their friends, wear burqas, and recite Islamic verses”.The case came to light when parents of three minor girls from Bijaynagar registered FIRs on Feb 15, sparking tension in the town. Cities like Ajmer, Bhilwara, Beawar, Bijaynagar, Gulabpura, and Nasirabad observed a complete bandh following the incident. Police arrested 13 accused and four minors in the case.
