A Muslim preacher has been booked for insulting a girl student in public by misinterpreting her handshake with Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac in Kozhikode. 

Kunnamangalam police filed a case against the preacher on Friday for pronouncing a hand shake between the girl student and the minister as sexual in a public speech. 

The girl, a second year student of Markaz law college in Kozhikode filed a complaint against preacher and Khadisunna General Secretary Noushad Ahsani. 

According to reports, Finance Minister Thomas Isaac had visited the girls’ college on August 18. After a discussion with the students, the minister shook hands with the students after handing over prizes at the event.

In her complaint, the girl alleged that Noushad Ahsani showed a photograph of her shaking hands with the minister while delivering a speech about how men and women must conduct themselves. Noushad told the gathering in Kozhikode that such conduct was not proper on the part of an unmarried woman.

After the speech, a video of the incident was also circulated on social media, the girl said. The girl accused Noushad of harassing her by interpreting a hand shake in a sexual manner and defaming her.

Kunnamangalam Sub-Inspector Jacob MT told The News Minute that a case has been registered against Noushad under section 119 (Punishment for atrocities against women) of Kerala Police Act. 

"We have as of now booked him for atrocity against the woman. After the cyber cell conducts necessary examination of video footage circulated online, other sections could be added," he said.