Four madrasa teachers, six students sued over rape of minor in Savar

A case has been filed against four teachers and six students of a madrasa in Savar over allegations of repeatedly sexually abusing a seven-year-old male student.

The case was filed at Savar Model Police Station on August 26 on the orders of a court, following a complaint by the child’s father.

However, none of the accused has been arrested since the case was registered.

Police said efforts are underway to arrest the accused, who have allegedly gone into hiding.

The child, whose father works at a garment factory, is a residential student at Markazul Ulum Ash-Shariah Madrasa in Purba Shahibagh, Savar.

According to the father, the child had appeared unusually withdrawn whenever he returned home and often refused to speak or eat properly. The family initially assumed the behaviour was related to the pressure of madrasa studies.

The father later learned from another student’s guardian about allegations of sexual abuse involving children at the madrasa and a recent internal hearing over the allegations. He subsequently brought his son home.

The child told family members on August 14 that he had been sexually abused.

According to the case statement, the alleged abuse took place on multiple occasions between February 21 and July 6. The father said he subsequently approached madrasa director Zia Bin Kashem and sought action against those allegedly involved.

Although the director allegedly assured him that the accused would be handed over to police, no action was taken the following day, the father claimed. He also alleged that he was instructed to remain silent about the matter and was threatened.

The child later fell ill. Following advice from a physician known to the family, his father took him to Savar Upazila Health Complex on August 18. Doctors there referred him to the One-Stop Crisis Centre at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he was admitted the same day and received treatment for four days, according to his father.

The father subsequently filed a complaint through a lawyer. After recording the child’s statement, the court directed Savar Model Police Station to register the case, which was formally recorded on August 26.

Savar Model Police Station Sub-Inspector Md Samirul Hasan, who is investigating the case, said six students and four teachers had been accused of sexually abusing the child or assisting in the alleged abuse.

He said five students and one teacher face direct allegations of sexual abuse, while the remaining four accused have been charged with allegedly assisting in the offences.

“The case was registered following a court order. We are investigating the allegations with utmost importance and efforts are underway to arrest the accused,” Samirul Hasan said.

Md Saiful Alam, officer-in-charge (OC) Savar Model Police Station, said, "The complainant could have filed the case directly with the police, which might have allowed authorities to move more quickly against the accused."

"The accused had since gone into hiding and police were working to locate and arrest them," he added.