Madrasa Teacher Arrested in Babuganj over Student Sexual Abuse

A 26-year-old assistant teacher at a local madrasa has been arrested and remanded in custody for allegedly sexually assaulting a 12-year-old residential student in Babuganj upazila, Barishal.

The suspect, identified as Md Masum Billah, is the son of Shahadat Hossain from Chowk Hiyatpur village in Singra upazila, Natore. Masum Billah was employed as an assistant teacher at Al Iqra Darul Uloom Noorani and Hafijia Madrasa in Babuganj.

According to police sources, the suspect was arrested on the night of 31 July during a targeted raid at his family home in Singra upazila, Natore. The arrest followed a tip-off provided to law enforcement officers after the accused had remained on the run for nearly three and a half months. On Saturday, 1 August, he was produced before a court, which ordered his detention in prison pending trial, confirmed Mijanur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Babuganj Police Station.

Details of the Incident and Legal Action

The case statement reveals that the assault occurred late at night on 15 March, at approximately 1:00 am. The accused allegedly woke the 12-year-old student, who was enrolled in the institution’s Hifz section and residing on the premises, and led him behind a curtain before sexually assaulting him.

Following the ordeal, the young boy confided in his family. On 11 April, the child’s father lodged a formal complaint at Babuganj Police Station under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. In accordance with legal and medical protocols, the victim was subsequently referred to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal for a official medical examination.

On the Run for Three Months

Immediately following the incident, Masum Billah absconded from the residential religious institution to evade police apprehension. He managed to remain in hiding across regional boundaries for over three months until investigative officers traced his location to his ancestral residence in Natore.

Police authorities confirmed that formal legal proceedings are underway, and a charge sheet will be submitted to the court upon the completion of the ongoing investigation. Child rights advocates and local community members have urged authorities to ensure a swift trial to hold the offender accountable and enforce stricter safeguarding protocols within residential educational institutions.