A primary school teacher in Kurigram’s Nageshwari upazila has been arrested over an alleged attempt to rape a fifth-grade pupil inside a school toilet.
The incident reportedly took place on Monday afternoon at Dakshin Ramkhana Government Primary School in Ramkhana union. Police said the accused, identified as Abdul Motaleb, is an assistant teacher at the school and a resident of the Bhuiyantari area of Dakshin Ramkhana.
According to the case filed by the girl’s father, the incident occurred during the school’s tiffin break. The pupil went to the school toilet after feeling the need to use it. Police said Motaleb allegedly entered the toilet area and attempted to sexually assault her after finding her alone.
The girl reportedly resisted and struggled with the teacher. At one point, she managed to free herself and ran out of the toilet. She then informed a female teacher about what had allegedly happened.
The incident subsequently spread through the local community, triggering tension in the area. According to the information provided by police, attempts were allegedly made during the night to settle the matter through local intermediaries. Discussions continued until around midnight, while journalists seeking information about the incident were also reportedly obstructed.
After receiving information about the incident, police went to the area late at night and detained Motaleb. The pupil was also taken to the police station for her safety and to facilitate the necessary procedures.
Nageshwari police station officer-in-charge Enamul Haque Pradhan said the girl’s father filed a case at the police station at around midday on Tuesday. Following the filing of the case, Motaleb was produced before the Kurigram Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court.
The court subsequently ordered that the accused teacher be sent to jail custody.
The officer also said the girl was later handed over to her family from police custody.
The allegations have drawn attention to the issue of child safety within educational institutions. Schools are expected to provide children with a secure environment, particularly in areas such as toilets and other places where pupils may be temporarily separated from their classmates. Any allegation of sexual violence involving a child requires prompt investigation and appropriate legal action.
Police have proceeded with the case based on the complaint lodged by the girl’s father. The allegations against the teacher, however, remain allegations at this stage, and their legal validity will be determined through the judicial process.
