His wife, Tohfatul Jannah, who also serves as the madrasa’s director, was arrested on allegations of assisting in the crime and attempting to suppress information about the incident. She was sent to court on Thursday.
According to the case statement, the alleged rape took place at around 10am on Wednesday, 21 October, inside a room at Tohfatul Jannah Women’s Madrasa in the Chhoto Kaliakoir area of Birulia Union, Savar.
The allegations have prompted anger among local residents and raised serious concerns about the safety of children in educational institutions. However, the allegations against the individuals involved remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.
Student allegedly detained and threatened
According to the complaint, Abdul Bari allegedly raped the student inside a room at the madrasa on Wednesday morning. The case statement alleges that, following the incident, efforts were made to prevent the matter from becoming public.
The founder allegedly arranged for his wife to organise initial medical treatment for the girl and kept her inside the madrasa until the evening. The student was also allegedly threatened with death if she disclosed what had happened.
The girl eventually managed to leave the premises with the assistance of a woman who worked as a kitchen assistant at the madrasa. After returning home, she told her grandfather about the alleged assault.
The family’s disclosure of the incident led to widespread anger in the surrounding community. Residents subsequently gathered outside the madrasa and the founder’s residence, demanding answers over the allegations.
Police face obstruction as tensions escalate
The situation deteriorated on Wednesday night when an agitated crowd surrounded the madrasa and the founder’s home, leaving his wife and son confined inside. Police arrived after receiving information about the situation but encountered resistance from members of the crowd, who obstructed their work.
At around 7pm, vandalism and looting were reported in two rooms at the madrasa and the founder’s residence.
Additional police officers arrived at around 9pm to bring the situation under control. They rescued police personnel who had been trapped, along with Tohfatul Jannah and her younger son, and took them to the police station.
Additional officers have since been deployed in the area to prevent further disorder and maintain security.
Further allegations involving other students
The case has also drawn attention to separate allegations concerning the treatment of other students at the institution.
Local resident Matiur Rahman, citing accounts from other female students, alleged that Tohfatul Jannah had used her own physical illness as a pretext to pressure students into having sexual relations with her husband.
The allegation has not been independently verified. Its accuracy and any potential connection to the current case would need to be established through a proper investigation.
Police continue search for main accused
Saiful Alam, officer-in-charge of Savar Model Police Station, said Tohfatul Jannah had been arrested in connection with the case filed by the victim’s grandfather and subsequently sent to court.
Police operations to arrest Abdul Bari are continuing, he said. Investigators are also examining the precise role allegedly played by his wife, including whether she assisted in the offence or attempted to conceal it.
The case has raised urgent questions about safeguarding children in educational settings, particularly where students depend on teachers and institutional authorities for their safety and care.
The allegations must now be examined through a thorough and impartial investigation. Ensuring the child’s safety, protecting her privacy and providing appropriate medical and psychological support are also essential as the legal process proceeds.
