A madrasa principal in Daulatpur, Kushtia, has been taken into police custody after allegations that he attempted to sexually assault a student. The incident triggered anger among local residents, who surrounded and confined the principal at the madrasa. A confrontation later broke out when police intervened to take him into custody, leaving three officers, including the officer-in-charge of Daulatpur police station, injured.
The incident took place on Thursday, 8 October, at Marakajul Quran Was Sunnah Madrasa in Khalishakundi area of Daulatpur upazila.
According to police and local sources, allegations emerged on Wednesday night that the madrasa principal, Ashikullah, had attempted to sexually assault a student. The student subsequently told his father about the alleged incident. News of the allegation then spread through the local community, prompting growing anger.
Local residents gathered around the madrasa on Thursday morning and prevented the principal from leaving. As tensions increased, police were informed and a team led by Daulatpur police station officer-in-charge Khalidur Rahman went to the madrasa to bring the situation under control.
Police subsequently attempted to take Ashikullah into custody. During the process, several people among the crowd reportedly tried to assault him. Police intervened to stop them, leading to a scuffle between officers and local residents. The confrontation later escalated into a clash.
Khalidur Rahman, an assistant sub-inspector and another police officer were injured in the incident. The assistant sub-inspector sustained comparatively more serious injuries, according to the officer-in-charge. Khalidur Rahman also received medical treatment at a hospital before leaving.
Father seeks investigation and justice
The student’s father alleged that the principal had behaved inappropriately towards his son on previous occasions.
He said he questioned his son after learning about the latest incident, after which the student described what had allegedly happened.
The father also said his wife died four years ago and that she had wanted their son to become a Hafiz. For that reason, he had kept the boy at the madrasa for the past four years.
He alleged that his son had suffered sexual abuse while studying there and called for a proper investigation and justice over the incident.
The principal’s response to the allegations was not immediately available.
According to information provided by local residents, Ashikullah is from Jashore and has his in-laws’ home in Ati village of Chhatian Union in Mirpur upazila.
Principal remains in police custody
Officer-in-charge Khalidur Rahman said police had rescued the accused principal and taken him into police custody.
He confirmed that he, an assistant sub-inspector and another police officer were injured during the confrontation. He said the assistant sub-inspector had sustained a more significant injury, while he himself had received treatment at hospital and subsequently left.
No case had been filed over the incident at the time of the officer’s statement. He said further information would be available after the accused principal was questioned.
The allegations have created tension in the area, with police deployed to prevent any further disturbance. Investigators will now have to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident, examine the student’s account and determine whether there is sufficient evidence to support the allegations.
As the accused remains in police custody, the case is expected to be examined through the appropriate legal process. The allegation against the principal has not yet been established in court.
