Child reportedly expelled from madrasa after reporting rape

Allegations have emerged that an 11-year-old residential student of a Qawmi madrasa in the Belghoria area of Katakhali, Rajshahi, was raped by a teacher. The family has alleged that after informing the madrasa authorities, the child was expelled from the institution. They also claim to have been threatened against taking legal action.

The allegation is against Abdur Rouf, a teacher at Ta'limul Quran Hafizia Qawmi Boys' and Girls' Madrasa. The victim's family claims that Abdur Rouf would rape the child at night by covering his mouth, and would beat him and threaten to fail him in exams if he resisted.

According to the victim's mother, her son fell ill in late May due to the rape. When he came home, he told her about the incident. She reported the matter to the madrasa director, Alamgir Hossain, who reportedly requested her not to tell anyone else. Abdur Rouf was subsequently removed from the madrasa.

The family claims that after the teacher was removed, their son was sent back to the madrasa. However, after a few days, the director and his wife began mistreating the child. A few days ago, they expelled him on false charges of theft.

The mother said she wants to file a case but the police are not accepting it. She also alleged that influential local leaders have been threatening them at home, and that some individuals posing as police have also intimidated them.

The victim's father, a rickshaw-van driver, claimed that local leaders from the ruling party have threatened him against filing a case, warning that if he does, he will be framed on drug charges and his legs will be broken.

When contacted about the allegations, the madrasa director reportedly offered Tk 50,000 not to publish the news.

Katakhali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Suman Kadery said he was aware of the incident but no one had admitted to the allegations at the time. He said the matter is now being investigated.