Seven-Year-Old Student Allegedly Abused; Madrasa Teacher Arrested

A madrasa teacher has been detained in Jashore’s Chaugachha after local residents allegedly caught and assaulted him following accusations that he sexually abused a seven-year-old student.

The incident reportedly took place at around 8pm on Friday, 7 August, beneath the bridge over the Kopotakkho River in Narayanpur, Chaugachha. Local residents later handed the accused over to police.

The detained man has been identified as Hafiz Nazmul Islam, 35, son of Abu Sayeed Sheikh of Kulbaria village in Dumuria upazila of Khulna. He works as a teacher at Hafizia Baitul Mamun Madrasa in the Mollapara area of Jashore city.

According to Imon Hossain, the child’s uncle, the seven-year-old is a student at the madrasa. On Friday morning, the accused teacher allegedly took the child with him to the family’s village home in Nayanpur. Later in the evening, he reportedly told the child that he would buy him chotpoti and took him to an area beneath the Kopotakkho River bridge.

The child’s family alleges that the teacher then threatened and sexually assaulted the boy at the location. Local people reportedly became aware of the incident and detained the teacher. They subsequently beat him before police arrived and took him into custody.

The family has also alleged that the accused had previously behaved inappropriately towards the child. According to relatives, the child told them that similar unwanted conduct had occurred before. These allegations will need to be established through a proper investigation and evidence.

The incident has raised renewed concerns about the safety of children in educational and religious institutions, where teachers and other adults are entrusted with their care. Child protection experts generally stress the importance of creating environments in which children can report abuse without fear and allegations can be investigated promptly through lawful procedures.

Police said the accused was detained after the complaint was received and that a case has been filed in connection with the allegations.

Chaugachha Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mamunur Rashid confirmed the incident. He said the allegations would be investigated and appropriate legal action would be taken based on the findings.

The accused remains subject to the legal process, and the allegations against him have not yet been established by a court.