A government primary school teacher has been accused of raping a fourth-grade pupil in Abhaynagar, Jashore, prompting the girl’s father to file a case under Bangladesh’s Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. Police said the accused teacher had gone into hiding following the alleged incident.
The accused, Imran Hossain, 35, works as an assistant teacher at Bahirghat Government Primary School in Abhaynagar Upazila. He is the son of the late Nazrul Islam and comes from the Buikara village area of the upazila.
The girl’s father lodged the complaint at Abhaynagar Police Station on Tuesday night, 27 October. According to his account, the alleged assault took place on Monday, 26 October, during the school’s lunch break.
The father alleged that his daughter went to a bathroom beside the school at around midday, where the teacher entered and sexually assaulted her while she was alone. The incident reportedly left the child with bleeding injuries.
According to the family, the teacher threatened to kill the girl if she told anyone about the incident. Frightened by the alleged threat, she did not return to her classroom and instead went home without initially telling her family what had happened.
The following morning, Tuesday, the child disclosed the alleged assault to her mother. After noticing her daughter’s injuries, the mother informed her husband. The family subsequently brought the matter to the attention of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and the officer-in-charge of Abhaynagar Police Station.
The child was reportedly found unwell at her home on Tuesday afternoon and taken to Abhaynagar Upazila Health Complex for medical attention. UNO Sheikh Salahuddin Dipu said doctors conducted an initial examination and reportedly found indications of sexual assault. For further treatment, the girl was transferred to Jashore 250-Bed General Hospital later that night.
Abhaynagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Nuruzzaman confirmed that a case had been registered against the teacher under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. He said the accused had gone into hiding after the alleged incident and expressed hope that police would arrest him soon.
The girl’s father has demanded exemplary punishment for the accused and anyone found to have helped him evade arrest. However, any alleged involvement by other individuals would need to be established through investigation.
The case has drawn attention to the importance of safeguarding children in educational institutions. Schools must provide an environment where pupils can learn without fear of abuse, intimidation or exploitation. When allegations of sexual violence involving a child arise, prompt medical care, a thorough investigation and appropriate protection for the victim are essential.
Protecting the child’s privacy throughout the investigation is equally important. Her identity and other personal details should not be disclosed in a manner that could expose her to further distress or harm.
The allegations against the teacher have yet to be established through the judicial process. Police investigations and subsequent legal proceedings will be necessary to determine the facts and establish any criminal responsibility.
