It’s been nearly a decade since Qari Abdul Rauf was released from prison, yet he continues to live in the very town where he inflicted his horrific crimes.
Despite being sentenced for his involvement in the notorious Rochdale grooming gang, Rauf, now 55 years old, remains in the same community that once shuddered at his actions.
His presence has left many residents bewildered and disgusted, especially since he was expected to be deported to Pakistan after his release.
The Ongoing Controversy
Neighbors of Rauf in Rochdale are shocked to see him walking freely through their streets, “like he owns the place,” as one local put it.
His presence in the town has sparked outrage, with residents questioning why he hasn’t been deported as promised.
After serving only two and a half years of his six-year sentence, Rauf was told he would be sent back to Pakistan, yet he remains in the UK, despite multiple attempts by immigration tribunals to deport him.
Rauf’s role in the gang, which trafficked and abused young girls across England, remains a dark chapter in Rochdale’s history.
He was one of nine men jailed for their involvement in the scandal, but his failure to leave the country continues to fuel calls for a national inquiry into grooming gangs.
These calls were recently amplified by political figures and public figures, including Keir Starmer and Elon Musk, who criticized the government’s handling of the issue.
The Impact on Local Families
The continued presence of Rauf in Rochdale is deeply upsetting to many, particularly those with children.
A mother living nearby recounted the moment she realized who Rauf really was.
She recalled how her children used to play with his kids, unaware of the crimes taking place behind closed doors.
Once the police took Rauf’s computer, her shock turned to fear, and she immediately told her kids to stay away.
The fact that Rauf is now delivering takeaways to people’s homes only adds to the horror.
Imagine being one of his victims and opening the door to find him standing there with your meal.
It’s a chilling thought that has left locals feeling unsettled.
The Unanswered Questions
Despite Rauf’s deportation being approved in 2014, it has not yet been carried out, and his legal battles continue.
His lawyers argue that Rauf is stateless, having renounced his Pakistani citizenship, and that deportation would violate his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
This legal loophole has allowed him to stay in the UK, much to the frustration of the local community.
Neighbors are furious that Rauf and other members of the gang continue to live freely in the country.
The fact that some of his accomplices, like Aldi Khan and Abdul Aziz, have also avoided deportation, despite their own criminal convictions, only adds to the growing anger.
As one resident put it, “Why is he still here? He should not be back in this house, this street, or this country.”
Moving Forward
The ongoing situation has raised serious concerns about how grooming gang members are treated after serving their sentences.
With so many unanswered questions about why these individuals are still allowed to live in the UK, the call for a national inquiry into the matter has grown louder.
For now, the community in Rochdale is left to grapple with the unsettling reality of having one of the gang’s ringleaders living among them.
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