Bangle seller Tasleem Ali acquitted of all charges in 2021 Indore molestation case
Indore: Tasleem Ali, a bangle seller from Uttar Pradesh who faced severe physical assault, public humiliation, and nearly four months in jail in 2021 on charges of molesting a minor, has been acquitted of all charges by a court in Madhya Pradesh.
The additional sessions court in Indore delivered the verdict on Monday, citing a lack of evidence and contradictions in witness statements. Tasleem, who hails from Hardoi, was accused of hiding his identity while selling bangles in the narrow lanes of Indore’s Banganaga area on August 22, 2021. A video that went viral showed him being thrashed by an angry mob, which triggered widespread attention.
Following the incident, he was booked under multiple sections, including Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (outraging the modesty of a woman) and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. According to the FIR, the minor girl had alleged that Tasleem held her hand, touched her cheeks, and made inappropriate comments. He was also accused of threatening to kill her.
However, during the trial, the minor retracted her statement, claiming she did not recognize Tasleem and was unaware of the events of August 22. Her parents also denied any knowledge of the incident or association with the accused.
The court's judgment, penned by Judge Rashmi Walter, stated, “After investigating and cross-questioning the witnesses, it has not been established that the accused held the minor’s hand or used force with an intention to molest her. Nor is there any evidence that he threatened the minor. Further, it could not be established that Tasleem intentionally tried to mislead the minor’s parents by showing any fraudulent identity card.”
Tasleem’s lawyer, Aslim Ali, told ThePrint that the accusations were fabricated after the viral video of the mob assault caused an uproar. "Tasleem himself had registered a case against those who attacked him. In retaliation, they lodged a fraudulent case of molestation two days later," he said.
The allegations about Tasleem having multiple identities due to differing names in official documents were also addressed during the investigation. It was found that discrepancies in names—where he and his father were referred to by several aliases—were due to clerical errors, not fraudulent intent.
The ordeal left a lasting impact on Tasleem and his family. Following the incident, Tasleem and his brothers stopped selling bangles door-to-door in Indore. Irfan Ali, Tasleem’s younger brother, shared, “We have now rented a small shop in Akola, Maharashtra. It’s not as profitable, but we prefer earning with dignity rather than facing abuse for no fault of ours.”
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
KMES Institutions shine in SSLC result, continue four-decade legacy of education in rural Karkala
Karkala: KMES Institutions of Education at Kukkundooru in Karkala taluk has recorded outstanding results in the 2025-26 SSLC and PUC examinations, continuing a four-decade educational journey that began with just 22 kindergarten students and no building of its own.
The institution secured a 100 per cent result in the SSLC examinations, with all 43 students passing the examination this year.
Muhammad Arman Shahid emerged as the school topper by scoring 619 marks out of 625, securing 99 per cent and also ranking sixth at the state level. He scored full marks in Kannada, Hindi, Mathematics and Social Science.
Krithika V. Nayak secured the second position in the school with 607 marks and 97.12 per cent, while Arhan stood third with 605 marks and 96.8 per cent.
Out of the 43 students, 21 passed with distinction, 19 secured first class, two students obtained second class and one student passed in third class. Fourteen students scored above 90 per cent.
The institution also performed strongly in the PUC examinations. The Science stream recorded a 100 per cent result, with all 44 students passing, while Commerce secured a 98 per cent pass percentage.
Twelve students scored full marks in different subjects, including Mathematics.
In Commerce, Deeksha Acharya topped the college with 588 marks, while Harshitha H. Kini secured the second position with 581 marks.
In Science, Naveen B. Nayak emerged as topper with 586 marks, followed closely by Sameeksha Moily and Aifa Nidha, who both secured 585 marks.
Speaking about the achievement, High School head teacher Shrimati Patkar said the institution has always focused on supporting academically weak students through affordable education and free special classes.
“Our ambition is to provide quality education even to students who struggle in studies. The fees are very low, and free coaching classes are conducted. I have worked here for 28 years and have always found the atmosphere supportive of education,” she said.
Primary School head teacher Lolita Zeena D’Silva appreciated the dedication of the teaching staff and said the school encourages students not only to achieve high marks but also to become role models.
PU College Principal Balakrishna Rao said the institution focuses on value-based education and overall personality development.
“The aim is to help students succeed not only academically but also in cultural activities, sports and leadership. We encourage qualities such as patience, tolerance and discipline,” he said.
Rao also credited the institution’s growth to the support of founders K.S. Mohammed Masood and K.S. Nissar Ahmed, along with President K.S. Imtiaz Ahmed.
Speaking on the occasion, Imtiaz Ahmed said the institution was built on the dream of making quality education accessible to financially backward families in rural areas.
He said the guidance and encouragement of his elder brothers, Mohammed Masood and Nissar Ahmed, along with the contribution of teachers, students and parents, helped transform the institution into a model educational centre.
The KMES Institutions trace their roots back to 1984, when they were founded by senior social activists Haji P.M. Khan, K.S. Nazeer Ahmed and Haji A.S. Rashid Haider.
The institution initially functioned from the Government Urdu School premises as it did not have a building of its own. Classes began with only 22 students in lower kindergarten and two teachers.
Later, under the leadership of K.S. Mohammed Masood and with continuous financial and moral support from non-resident businessman K.S. Nissar Ahmed, the institution gradually expanded.
In 1993, the school shifted to its own building and began conducting classes from LKG to Class 5.
As student admissions increased, Nissar Ahmed personally funded the construction of three additional classrooms to address infrastructure shortages.
The institution’s new school building was completed in 1997, while the PU College building was constructed in 2001.
From humble beginnings in a borrowed building to producing state-level rank holders and consistent academic results, the KMES Institutions have grown into one of the prominent educational centres in the Karkala region.
