Police have arrested five people, including two teachers and three students, in connection with allegations that a madrasa student was repeatedly sexually abused and subjected to physical mistreatment over a period of six months.
The arrests were made during a series of operations conducted in several parts of Bangladesh between Friday night, 4 September, and Saturday morning, 5 September. The case was brought by the victim’s family, who alleged that the child had been repeatedly abused and intimidated over an extended period.
Dhaka District Additional Superintendent of Police and Savar Circle officer Rakibul Hasan Ishan disclosed the arrests at a press briefing held at Savar Model Police Station on Saturday afternoon. He said investigators had analysed information and other evidence before conducting coordinated raids in different districts.
Teams from Savar Model Police Station, Ashulia Police Station and the Detective Branch carried out operations in Barguna, Bhola, Sirajganj, Gazipur and Dhaka. Police said the investigation was being treated as a matter of the highest priority and indicated that further arrests could follow.
Of the five people arrested, three are teenagers aged 12, 13 and 15. Police said all three are students of the madrasa concerned. The other two suspects are madrasa teachers Jaber Hossain, 21, and Mohammad Kamrul Islam, 26.
According to the allegations recorded in the case, the three students and teacher Jaber Hossain were directly involved in the alleged sexual abuse. Kamrul Islam has been accused of physically assaulting and threatening the child in an effort to prevent the matter from being disclosed to the family.
Police said some of the arrested suspects had admitted involvement during preliminary questioning. However, investigators have not disclosed detailed statements or other evidence, citing the ongoing investigation.
The case stems from a complaint submitted by the child’s father on 23 August before the Dhaka Metropolitan Children’s Violence Suppression Tribunal. After considering the application, the court directed Savar Model Police Station to register it as a formal case.
The original complaint named five madrasa students, four teachers and the institution’s director. Five students and one teacher were accused of direct involvement in the alleged abuse, while three other teachers and the director were accused of assaulting and threatening the child rather than taking appropriate action against those allegedly responsible.
The allegations have raised serious concerns about the safety of children in educational and residential religious institutions, where students may be particularly dependent on teachers and other adults in positions of authority. Child-protection experts generally stress the importance of safe reporting mechanisms, responsible supervision and prompt action when allegations of abuse arise.
Police said the arrested suspects would be sent to court after the necessary legal procedures had been completed. Investigators are continuing to examine the allegations and gather evidence, while efforts are under way to identify and arrest the remaining suspects named in the case.
Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the investigation, saying that doing so at this stage could affect the legal process.
