Case Filed Over Madrasa Student’s Assault in Kumarkhali, Suspect Flees

A criminal case has been registered in Kumarkhali Upazila of Kushtia following the sexual assault of a 10-year-old schoolgirl. The victim’s father filed a formal complaint under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act at Kumarkhali Police Station at around 10:00 pm on Sunday. The lawsuit names a single accused: a 16-year-old boy who recently sat for his Dakhil examinations from a local madrasa. The teenager has been on the run since the incident occurred.

According to police reports, court records, and local community sources, the victim is a fifth-grade student at a local primary school. She resides at her maternal grandfather’s home to pursue her education. The assault took place on Sunday morning when she attended her routine religious lessons at a morning madrasa (maktab) near her residence. The suspect’s younger sister happened to be studying at the same institution. Following sudden, torrential rainfall that morning, both girls remained inside the mosque premises well after their classes had concluded.

As the rain persisted, the teenage suspect arrived with an umbrella to escort his younger sister back home. After ensuring his sister’s safe return, he reportedly walked back to the madrasa. Under the guise of guiding the victim safely back to her grandfather’s house, he led the young girl to a dilapidated, abandoned tin-shed structure adjacent to the facility. Seizing the opportunity, he subjected her to severe physical abuse. A passing pedestrian noticed unusual noises and muffled crying coming from the derelict shed. Upon stepping inside to investigate, the passer-by startled the suspect, who immediately fled the scene. The pedestrian rescued the heavily bleeding child and escorted her back to her relatives.

Developments following the rescue underscore a systemic issue in rural communities. As news of the assault spread, a faction of influential village elders (matabbars) swiftly intervened to avoid legal scrutiny. Exploiting the family’s financial vulnerability, they attempted to suppress the matter entirely through an informal village arbitration (shalish). The leaders went as far as proposing a future marriage alliance between the minor victim and the teenage perpetrator to settle the dispute out of court.

However, the girl’s father rushed to the village upon hearing of the horrific ordeal. Refusing to yield to intense social pressure from the village arbiters, he bypassed the local leaders and went directly to the Kumarkhali Police Station to seek legal recourse. Recognising the gravity of the medical and legal situation, the police officially registered a regular case at 10:00 pm. Officers subsequently arranged a police escort to transfer the child to Kushtia General Hospital for a comprehensive forensic medical examination.

Speaking through tears, the child’s mother expressed her profound devastation, stating that her innocent daughter was deceitfully drawn out of a place of learning and abused. She demanded absolute justice and accountability for both the perpetrator and the local leaders who actively tried to cover up the crime.

Meanwhile, journalists have been unable to obtain a statement from the suspect, who remains missing along with other male members of his household. His mother, reportedly bedridden due to a sudden medical emergency and severe psychological shock, declined to speak to the press.

Jamal Uddin, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kumarkhali Police Station, confirmed that a formal investigation is underway. He stated that the victim’s initial statement and the preliminary inquiry established a clear prima facie case of assault. Multiple specialised law enforcement teams have already deployed to conduct coordinated raids across potential hideouts. The police administration remains confident that the fleeing teenager will be brought to justice shortly, whilst also examining the controversial role played by the village elders during the initial cover-up attempt.