A 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the alleged sexual abuse and suspected instigation of suicide of a 10-year-old madrasa student in the capital’s Rampura area, in a case that has prompted widespread concern and an ongoing criminal investigation.
Police confirmed that the main accused, identified as Shihab Hossain (19), was detained in a late-night operation conducted by the Rampura Police Station. He was apprehended at approximately 1:00 am on Wednesday from the Bera Police Station area in Pabna district.
According to case details provided by investigators, the incident occurred on Tuesday night at around 10:00 pm inside the Alokito Quran International Hifz Madrasa located in Banasree C Block under Rampura. The victim, a 10-year-old student named Abdullah, was found dead after reportedly using a scarf-like cloth to hang himself inside the madrasa premises.
Upon receiving the information, police officers from the Rampura Police Station immediately visited the scene. They prepared an inquest report and sent the body for post-mortem examination to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue.
Preliminary findings from the inquest reportedly indicated signs consistent with sexual abuse, which investigators believe may have played a role in the circumstances leading to the child’s death. However, authorities have stated that the final determination will depend on forensic and post-mortem reports.
During the investigation, madrasa authorities allegedly informed police that the accused had previously been involved in similar inappropriate conduct with at least four other students at the institution. These claims are currently being verified as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Following a complaint filed by the victim’s mother, Mosha. Tuku Ara Khatun, a formal case was registered at the Rampura Police Station. Acting on intelligence gathered through digital tracking and field surveillance, a police team traced the suspect to a village in Bera upazila of Pabna district.
A coordinated operation was launched at around 12:50 am on Wednesday in the Thakchhara area under Bera. With the assistance of local law enforcement, the accused was detained after being called to a bus stand in the C&B area, reportedly through contact with his family.
Timeline of Events
| Time/Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, ~10:00 pm | Incident occurs inside madrasa in Rampura |
| Tuesday night | Victim found deceased at madrasa premises |
| Wednesday early hours | Police prepare inquest report and send body for autopsy |
| Wednesday evening | Suspect located in Bera, Pabna |
| Wednesday ~12:50 am | Joint police operation launched |
| Wednesday ~1:00 am | Arrest of Shihab Hossain confirmed |
Police from Bera Model Police Station confirmed that their personnel assisted the Rampura team during the operation. The accused was later transferred to Dhaka for further legal proceedings and has been produced before the relevant court.
Authorities have stated that the investigation remains ongoing, with forensic analysis and witness statements expected to play a crucial role in establishing the full circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.