A head teacher of a madrasa in Narsingdi has been arrested by police following allegations of sexually harassing a five-and-a-half-year-old child inside a classroom, in a case that has sparked widespread concern in the local community.
The accused, identified as Suman Mia (31), is the principal of Darul Akram Madrasa located in the Kotolirchar area of Madhabdi. Police confirmed his arrest on Friday night (10 April), shortly after a case was filed under Section 10 of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.
Madhabdi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Kamal Hossain confirmed the development, stating that legal proceedings have been initiated and the accused remains in custody pending further investigation.
Table of Contents
Case Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident location | Kotolirchar, Madhabdi, Narsingdi |
| Institution | Darul Akram Madrasa |
| Victim | 5.5-year-old child (Playschool student) |
| Accused | Suman Mia (31), Head Teacher |
| Father’s name | Jasad Mia |
| Native area | Surashram, Nandail, Mymensingh |
| Legal action | Arrest under Women and Children Repression Prevention Act (Section 10) |
| Police station | Madhabdi Police Station |
According to the case statement, the alleged incident took place on Thursday afternoon inside a classroom of the madrasa where the child was attending playgroup-level lessons. It is alleged that the head teacher inappropriately touched the child on various parts of the body, constituting sexual harassment.
Following the incident, the child’s family lodged a complaint with Madhabdi Police Station, prompting law enforcement officials to launch an immediate investigation. Acting on the complaint, police detained the accused madrasa principal the same night.
Authorities have not yet disclosed whether the accused has provided any statement in his defence. However, officials confirmed that evidence collection and witness interviews are underway as part of the investigation process.
Police Response
Officer-in-Charge Md Kamal Hossain stated that the allegations are being treated with utmost seriousness given the age of the victim and the sensitive nature of the case. He assured that legal procedures are being followed strictly in accordance with existing child protection laws.
He added that further action will depend on the findings of the investigation and any corroborating evidence gathered from the madrasa and related witnesses.
Community Reaction and Concerns
The incident has caused alarm among local residents, particularly parents of children enrolled in nearby educational institutions. Many have expressed concern over child safety in early education settings and have called for stricter monitoring and safeguarding measures in religious and private educational institutions.
Child rights advocates have also emphasised the importance of strengthening institutional oversight, including background checks for teachers and mandatory child protection training in schools and madrasas.
Wider Context
Incidents involving allegations of abuse in educational institutions have repeatedly raised questions about safeguarding standards across early learning environments in Bangladesh. Experts argue that while laws exist to protect children, enforcement and preventive monitoring remain inconsistent.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring justice in the present case and have urged the public to report any similar incidents through official channels to prevent further harm.
The accused remains under police custody as investigations continue.