A 34-year-old Islamic preacher and social media personality Muhammed Niyas Jouhari has been arrested in Kerala over a case pertaining to sexual abuse of a 16-year-old girl.
The arrest has become a subject of discussion on social media as earlier video of the preacher criticising Malayalam actress Nazriya Nazim for wearing revealing clothes was found on the web.
Jouhari (also Niyas Jauhari) is the director of Habibiyya Islamic Academy in Ochira, Kollam district. He is a religious speaker and YouTuber who posts Islamic sermons, motivational messages and prayer sessions on social media regularly.
The accused sexually abused the minor several times after gaining trust of her family by telling them that he could cure her grandmother’s health problems through prayers (the girl’s paternal grandmother had reportedly come to him for help).
Jouhari convinced the family that grandmother was possessed by an evil spirit and needed spiritual purification. The girl and her grandmother went to the academy. Police say he used this opportunity to gain access to the teenager and assaulted her at different places (academy and rented premises).
He is islamic Scholar Moulana Niyas Johari from Keralam. He is director of Habeebiyya Islamic Academy Keralam. He was giving advice on the clothes of Kerala actress Nasiryanzeem and asking her to follow the path of islam. Now he arrested in minor girl rape case. https://t.co/lbrGxHKIGu
— Hindutwa Watch 🚩 (@Hindutwa_Watch) November 5, 2026
The incidents allegedly took place between 2025 and 2026. The girl told her friends about the alleged abuse and then the matter came to light. Police registered a case under POCSO Act and relevant sections of BNS on her complaint.
Jouhari was taken into custody after the investigation and remanded to judicial custody. Police are also examining mobile phone conversations, audio recordings and other electronic evidence as part of the probe.
Police Probe Possible Additional Victims
The probe has reportedly been widened to see if other girls had been exploited too. Police are preparing to examine the accused’s computers for evidence of more crimes and whether any further complaints could be made.
Police are also investigating financial dealings of the Islamic school. Activities and financial records of the academy have reportedly been scrutinised as part of the wider probe.
Police in Kerala are investigating whether a popular Islamic preacher and YouTuber, arrested for allegedly repeatedly raping a 16-year-old girl under the pretext of spiritual healing, may have sexually exploited other minors as well. Investigators are preparing to examine the mobile phone and electronic devices of 34-year-old Mohammed Niyas Jouhari, who was arrested on Sunday. Police are also probing substantial financial transactions linked to the Islamic educational institution he runs in Kollam district. Jouhari, the director of Habibiyya Islamic Academy at Ochira, was arrested following allegations that he sexually assaulted the girl on multiple occasions after convincing her family that he could remove supernatural afflictions through prayers. According to police, the girl's paternal grandmother had approached the preacher seeking relief from health problems. Jouhari allegedly convinced the family that the grandmother was under the influence of an evil spirit and required a purification ritual. The girl and her grandmother subsequently visited his academy. Investigators allege that Jouhari used the family's faith in his purported spiritual abilities to gain access to the minor and repeatedly sexually assault her. The alleged assaults took place at the academy, rented premises and other locations. Reports indicate that several incidents occurred in October and November 2025. The case came to light after the girl confided in her friends about the alleged abuse. Police subsequently recorded her statement and registered a case. Investigators reportedly examined medical evidence and mobile phone conversations before arresting the preacher. Jouhari has been booked under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to rape and criminal intimidation. The accused, who has more than two lakh subscribers on YouTube, regularly posted religious sermons and prayer sessions on social media. Police are now examining whether other girls may have been subjected to similar exploitation and whether evidence recovered from his electronic devices could reveal further offences. The investigation has also expanded to the functioning and financial transactions of Habibiyya Islamic Academy, where several boys and girls are reportedly enrolled. Jouhari is currently in judicial custody. So far, there has been no publicly confirmed identification of additional victims or registration of further cases.
— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) November 3, 2026
Meanwhile another woman has reportedly approached the authorities alleging that the preacher had engaged in inappropriate conversations and behaviour. Her allegations are separate from the POCSO case and will require independent investigation.
Old Nazriya Nazim Video Goes Viral Again
The arrest has also brought back old social media video of Jouhari commenting on Nazriya’s clothing. The preacher had criticised the actress for an outfit she wore at a promotional event in Dubai and questioned her religious practices.
The video has since been posted online after he was arrested and social media users are questioning the apparent juxtaposition between what he says in public about religious conduct and the allegations against him.
However the allegations against Jouhari are still before the courts and the investigation is ongoing. Police have not yet confirmed that any additional victims had been identified or further cases had been registered from the wider probe.
The case has brought attention to the need to protect children from exploitation and that allegations of abuse must be investigated without delay.
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