Baramulla , June 9: Police in Boniyar area of Baramulla district today arrested a local BJP leader after a minor girl allegedly accused him of sexual harassment and assault in a statement recorded before a court.
An official said that following the allegations, Police Station Boniyar registered a case, FIR No. 22/2026, against Reyaz Ahmad Sheikh, 44, a resident of Hindi Nowshera, Boniyar, under Sections 75 and 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 7 and 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
He was subsequently arrested and taken into custody for investigation.
Official sources said the allegations surfaced when a 17-year-old girl from the area, appeared before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMIC), Boniyar, for recording her statement under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The statement was recorded in connection with FIR No. 11/2026 registered at Police Station Boniyar under Sections 137(2) and 331(2) of the BNS.
During the proceedings, the girl allegedly told the magistrate that she had been subjected to sexual harassment and assault by Sheikh, son of Ali Mohammad Sheikh and a resident of Nowshera, Boniyar.
After receiving a copy of the court-recorded statement, police registered the fresh FIR and initiated legal action against the accused.
Sources said Sheikh is affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and currently serves as the party’s district spokesperson and OBC president.
Further investigation is underway.
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