A primary school teacher in Kurigram’s Nageshwari upazila has been arrested and sent to jail after allegedly attempting to rape a Class Five pupil inside a school toilet.
The incident reportedly took place on Monday afternoon at South Ramkhana Government Primary School in Ramkhana Union during the students’ tiffin break, according to police.
The accused, Abdul Motaleb, is an assistant teacher at the school and a resident of the Bhuiyantari area of South Ramkhana.
According to the case filed by the girl’s father, the pupil went to the school toilet during the break after feeling the need to use it. Police said Motaleb allegedly took advantage of the fact that she was alone and attempted to sexually assault her.
The girl resisted, and a struggle reportedly followed. She eventually managed to escape from the toilet and ran to safety. She later told a female teacher at the school what had happened.
News of the alleged incident subsequently spread through the local area, triggering tension among residents. Police said efforts were reportedly made by local intermediaries to settle the matter informally and keep it from becoming public. Discussions and negotiations allegedly continued until midnight.
Journalists attempting to gather information about the incident were also reportedly obstructed during that period.
After receiving information about the matter, police went to the area late on Monday night. Motaleb was taken into custody, while the girl was brought to the police station for protection and to facilitate the necessary procedures.
Nageshwari police station officer-in-charge Enamul Haque Pradhan said the girl’s father lodged a case at the police station at noon on Tuesday.
Following the filing of the case, police produced Motaleb before the Kurigram Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court. After hearing the matter, the court ordered that he be sent to jail custody.
The accused teacher was subsequently taken to jail, police said.
The girl, meanwhile, was handed back to her family after being kept at the police station for the necessary period, according to the officer-in-charge.
The allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings. Police are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and gather statements and other relevant evidence as part of the case.
The incident has also raised concerns over the safety of children within educational institutions, particularly the need for students to have secure facilities and trusted channels through which allegations of abuse can be reported promptly. Authorities generally stress that complaints involving children should be handled through lawful procedures, with the protection and privacy of the child given priority.
No finding of guilt has been established against the accused at this stage. The allegations will be examined through the legal process.
