Faith Healer Sentenced to 14 Years for Child Sexual Abuse in Kashmir

Sumesh Rajan | March 07, 2025

A Jammu and Kashmir (India) court has sentenced self-proclaimed faith healer Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually abusing minors over several years. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh, marking the culmination of a nearly decade-long legal battle that began when one of the victims broke his silence.

Conviction and Sentencing

On March 3, Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Mir Wajahat of Sopore found Sheikh guilty under Section 377 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), which criminalizes unnatural sexual acts. The judgment detailed the systematic abuse inflicted upon multiple victims, highlighting how Sheikh exploited his position of religious authority to manipulate and silence them.

“The offense was not an isolated incident but a repeated pattern of abuse that spanned over several years. The victims have endured severe emotional and psychological trauma, as reflected in their testimonies,” CJM Wajahat stated in the ruling.

Sheikh received seven years of rigorous imprisonment for each of the two victims named in the case. The court ruled that the sentences would run consecutively, totaling 14 years. Additionally, Sheikh must pay Rs 50,000 to each victim as compensation.

Long Road to Justice

The case first came to light in 2016 when a 14-year-old boy refused to visit Sheikh despite his family’s insistence. Upon being questioned, the boy disclosed years of abuse. As the investigation unfolded, multiple other survivors came forward with similar accounts. However, legal proceedings stretched over nearly nine years due to delays in evidence collection and witness testimonies.

The judgment acknowledged these delays in the poem “Delay in FIR, Delay in Justice”, penned by CJM Wajahat:

A voice once lost, now breaks the chain
No more silence, no more pain
Justice waits, though time may sever
Yet truth prevails – better late than never

Modus Operandi of the Convict

Sheikh, 54, gained influence as a self-styled faith healer in Sopore, claiming to communicate with supernatural entities known as "djinns". He lured followers by promising financial prosperity and healing from ailments. Families entrusted him with their children for spiritual guidance, unaware that he was using this position to prey on young boys.

Survivors recounted how Sheikh silenced them through psychological manipulation, warning that exposing him would bring destruction upon their families. Some victims were convinced that Sheikh was possessed by djinns and had no control over his actions.

Authorities estimate that the actual number of victims could be significantly higher, as only 12 families have officially approached the court. The investigation into other allegations remains ongoing.

Impact and Reaction

One of the key witnesses, Musab Omer, stressed the importance of raising awareness about child sexual abuse.

“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,” Omer stated.

The case has also led to calls for stricter monitoring of individuals in religious and spiritual leadership roles, ensuring they do not abuse their authority.

Final Words from the Court

The judgment concluded with another verse from CJM Wajahat, underscoring the triumph of truth over deception:

But truth will rise, the stars will call,
No shadow stands where justice falls.

With Sheikh now behind bars, authorities urge other potential victims to come forward, vowing to continue their pursuit of justice in one of Kashmir’s most shocking cases of child abuse.