Madrasa teacher held over rape of student in Fatullah

Police have arrested a madrasa teacher in Narayanganj’s Fatullah over allegations of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old student.

The accused, Md Rafiqul Islam, 28, was arrested from Tahsinul Quran Madrasa in the Muslimnagar area on Wednesday afternoon. He is a resident of Tongibari upazila in Munshiganj and had been working as a teacher at the madrasa.

Police Inspector Anwar Sattar, media and public relations officer of the National Emergency Service 999, said a caller contacted 999 on Wednesday afternoon alleging that a madrasa teacher had sexually assaulted a student. The caller also reported that local residents had detained and assaulted the teacher, creating tension in the area.

The 999 service subsequently alerted Fatullah police, who sent a team to the madrasa and arrested Rafiqul with the assistance of local residents.

According to police and people concerned, the student had enrolled at the madrasa about a year ago to memorise the Quran. The teacher allegedly sexually assaulted him several times after threatening him.

The latest alleged incident reportedly occurred on the night of August 31, after which the student fell ill. His mother later took him home from the madrasa.

Police said the mother subsequently went to the madrasa with local residents to confront the teacher, who allegedly admitted to the allegations.

The student’s mother filed a case with Fatullah Police Station. Police said the accused was arrested following the filing of the case and that the allegations are being investigated before further legal action is taken.