Decades of Abuse Exposed: A Landmark Conviction for Child Protection in Kashmir

In a landmark ruling, self-proclaimed faith healer Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh was sentenced to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually abusing two children in north Kashmir. Sheikh was convicted under Section 377 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) after nearly a decade of relentless legal battles and advocacy. The self-proclaimed faith healer is alleged to have abused thousands of young boys over decades. 

Sheikh was arrested in 2016 following multiple complaints of sexual abuse filed by survivors who were subjected to years of trauma under the guise of spiritual healing. Despite the severity of the allegations, he was released on bail within 29 days, even as additional cases remained pending against him. The case was also marred by long delays, including the COVID-19 pandemic, judicial replacements and procedural difficulties. With the verdict delivered today, Sheikh finally faces the legal consequences of his crimes. This conviction is a major victory for survivors, legal advocates, and child protection efforts in the state. iProbono India, which has provided support for over seven years to survivors in this case, welcomes the verdict and commends the courage of those who came forward to expose Sheikh’s crimes.

A Survivor’s Fight for Justice

One of the key voices in this case was Musab Omer*, a survivor whose determination played a pivotal role in ensuring that Sheikh was held accountable. Reflecting on the verdict, Omer said:

“This case has been an eye-opener for our community, where people blindly trust those in positions of power. It highlights the necessity of educating both parents and children about normal physical boundaries—because this ignorance and stigma is precisely what predators exploit.”

The lengthy judicial process added further strain to survivors like Omer. “The trial saw five judges and multiple public prosecutors being changed. Nine years is an incredibly long time. While we have won, as a survivor, I believe the legal process could have been handled much better.” With this conviction, Omer remains hopeful that more survivors will now come forward and seek justice.

Empowering Survivors to Seek Justice

The court’s ruling extends beyond Sheikh’s immediate sentencing. The judgment recognised that the survivors who acted as witnesses have an unequivocal right to seek justice independently for the atrocities to which they were subjected, which necessitates separate trials and FIRs. It therefore directed the police to file separate FIRs for each of these survivors and the DLSA to give them legal aid. This decision thus paves the way for others to step forward without fear of being dismissed or ignored.

“If this judgment serves as a catalyst for silent voices—those who have endured unspeakable trauma, struggled in the shadows, and now look toward the law with hope—then justice has, in some measure, already begun to prevail,” the court stated.

Our Commitment to Justice 

Since 2014, iProbono India has provided survivors of sexual abuse with legal representation, psychosocial support, and a platform to ensure their voices are heard. Despite numerous challenges—including threats to survivors and their families, social stigma, and an often sluggish judicial system—iProbono India remains steadfast in its pursuit of justice.The current verdict delivers on iProbono India’s commitment to secure redress for vulnerable children. It also calls for any cases filed by other victims of Sheikh to be fast-tracked to ensure timely justice. “After years of fighting an uphill battle, this judgment feels like a hard-won victory—not just for us, but for every child whose rights we fight to protect. It is a ray of hope for all those who refuse to be silenced,” said Karuvaki Mohanty, Program Manager, iProbono India.

*The individual’s name has been disclosed with their consent.