Pati Pesantren Kiai 'Disappears', Police Prepare Forced Pickup over Alleged Molestation of Dozens of Female Students

The case involving dozens of female students allegedly victimised by molestation from a kiai at Ponpes Ndolo Kusumo in Tlogosari Village, Tlogowungu Subdistrict, Pati Regency, Central Java, continues to unfold. Police are still hunting for the whereabouts of suspect Kiai Ashari, who has not complied with examination summons. Investigators from Pati Police Resort admit that Kiai Ashari’s position cannot yet be confirmed in the Pati area. Search efforts are ongoing to expedite the legal process for the case. “The investigators have stated that they are currently searching for the suspect’s whereabouts,” said Head of Public Relations Section at Pati Police Resort, Ipda Hafid Amin, on Wednesday, 6 May 2026. Hafid explained that investigators had previously issued the first examination summons to Kiai Ashari. However, the summons was not fulfilled without any clear explanation from the suspect’s side. Therefore, investigators have rescheduled a second summons, hoping the suspect will attend. If he skips again, police assure they will take firm action. “For now, the investigators have informed us that the second summons is scheduled for 7 May. If he still does not attend, forced pickup efforts will be carried out in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code,” he said. Not only that, the police are also considering preventive measures to prevent the suspect from fleeing abroad. Such efforts will be submitted to Immigration if the second summons is ignored again. On the other hand, Hafid revealed that communication between investigators and the suspect’s legal counsel is still running smoothly to date. Meanwhile, regarding reports of dozens of victims in this case, police emphasise that only one official report from a victim has been received. “Only one victim has reported,” he stated. The case emerged after dozens of female students were allegedly victims of sexual violence by a pesantren caregiver. The victim’s legal counsel, Ali Yusron, stated that the report had been filed with Pati Police Resort since 2024. However, he assessed that the case handling process has been quite lengthy despite being accompanied by several pieces of evidence, including medical examination results. This incident has also triggered public reaction. Mass actions were reported on Saturday, 2 May 2026, as an expression of disappointment over the alleged case affecting the female students.