Kozhikode: The Crime Branch team investigating the LKG student sexual abuse case has found prima facie evidence against Perode Abdul Rahman Saqafi, representative of the Darul Huda English Medium School, for defaming the victim child.

The Crime Branch team had summoned the 'absconding' Saqafi to their office in Chalappuram in Kozhikode and questioned him on his statements against the child. Sources told DC that the charges against him had been proved.

"During our interrogation, he tried to defend himself. However, when we played the recorded audio and video tapes in which he was seen making the comments against the victim, he could not offer us any explanation. His body language and actions indicated his intentions.

He clearly intended to defame and torture the child and her mother," a senior Crime Branch official told Deccan Chronicle.

In his press conferences and other statements, Saqafi had made several accusations against the child and her mother when the police team arrested two students of a madrassa attached to the Darul Huda school. Following this, the parents of the child lodged a complaint with the Valayam police station with audio and video proof.

The Valayam police then registered a case against Saqafi under section 23 of Juvenile Justice Act, section 201 and section 500 of IPC.

The local police, however, could not arrest Saqafi and they claimed he had been absconding. The case was subsequently handed over to the Crime Branch team.