Police: Dharumavantha Mosque imam has criminal record for drugs, other crimes

The police have said that the imam of Dharumavantha Mosque arrested for leading prayers without obtaining the authorisation from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, has a criminal record for possession of drugs and alcohol.

The police spokesperson told Sun Online that the 30-year-old imam has also been accused in the past, of inflicting harm on a minor.

The spokesperson said that this issue was investigated by the police, and a case was filed to the Prosecutor General’s Office against the imam for prosecution.

The imam has been in police custody since 30 September, and the Criminal Court has given him a detention period of 15 days.

He was arrested for violating the laws and regulations on religious solidarity, failing to obtain the authorisation for imams from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, pretending to be an imam and leading Friday prayers by forming a separate congregation at Dharumavantha Mosque, and encouraging religious strife in the society.