Madrasah Teacher Arrested Following Extended Abuse of Eight-Year-Old Pupil

A shocking case of prolonged sexual abuse involving an eight-year-old madrasah student has come to light in the Patiya Upazila of Chittagong, sparking widespread public outrage and distress across the local community. The abuse, which reportedly continued undetected for nearly a year, allegedly involved a resident cleric and three senior students of the same educational institution. Following the revelation, local police intervened and arrested the primary suspect, a twenty-year-old teacher identified as Aziz Ullah, on Saturday (4 July).

According to local residents and law enforcement officials, the victim is a second-grade student at the Azizia Naziria Tahfizul Quran Madrasah, situated in the Ishwarkhain Chowdhurypara area of Dhalghat Union. The harrowing ordeal was uncovered only after the child began suffering from severe, persistent physical complications. Initially, his parents mistook his physical distress for a routine medical condition, suspecting it might be hemorrhoids.

Concerned by his deteriorating health, the family took the young boy to a local medical practitioner. After a thorough clinical examination, the physician ruled out any standard medical ailments, explicitly informing the parents that the injuries were highly inconsistent with natural illness. Suspecting that the child had been subjected to severe physical assault and sexual penetration, the doctor advised the family to investigate the matter immediately.

Upon returning home, the distraught parents gently questioned the boy about his experience at the boarding institution. Unable to contain his trauma any longer, the child broke down and disclosed the systematic abuse he had endured. He revealed that his teacher, Aziz Ullah, had been sexually assaulting him repeatedly for approximately twelve months. Crucially, the victim also implicated three fellow students from the madrasah, stating that they had actively assisted the teacher in facilitating the abuse and maintaining secrecy through intimidation.

As news of the horrific incident spread through the village, the victim’s family approached local authorities to seek justice. However, senior administrative staff and fellow clerics at the madrasah reportedly intercepted the family, launching a coordinated effort to suppress the matter. Institutional authorities pleaded with the parents to refrain from taking legal recourse or registering an official police complaint. The school officials argued that a public criminal investigation would irreparably tarnish the reputation of the religious seminary and potentially lead to its permanent closure by state authorities, thereby jeopardising the education of other pupils.

Despite these institutional pressures, law enforcement acted swiftly once the details reached the local police station. Ziaul Haq, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Patiya Police Station, confirmed that a targeted operation was launched immediately upon receiving verified information about the crime. Police successfully apprehended Aziz Ullah, whilst the three accused students were formally ordered to surrender at the police station without delay to assist with ongoing enquiries.

The arrested cleric has since been produced before the local court under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure as a primary suspect. Law enforcement officials noted that whilst the victim’s family is currently receiving support and finalising the formal paperwork, a routine statutory case is yet to be officially registered. Officer-in-Charge Ziaul Haq assured the public that as soon as the formal First Information Report (FIR) is lodged, Aziz Ullah and his accomplices will be formally charged under the strict provisions of the law, ensuring a rigorous judicial process.