Madrasa principal held on rape charge

The principal of a madrasa was arrested on charge of raping a girl student of the madrasa in Sonatola municipality of Bogra at around 1:30pm yesterday, while another accused is absconding.

The arrestee is Fazlul Karim, 56, principal of Sonatola Fazil (Degree) Madrasa in the municipality, and the absconding accused is Shahabul Islam, 43, an office assistant of the madrasa.

Local and police sources said Fazlul Karim took a girl student to a room on the first floor of the madrasa and allegedly raped her. Hearing the screams of the girl, teachers and students rescued her and detained the principal. They later handed him over to the police.

Hearing the news, villagers, guardians and students rushed to the madrasa and brought out a protest procession demanding exemplary punishment of the principal. They also threw brick-chips at the office assistant's house, added the sources.

Contacted, Abdul Motaleb, officer-in-charge (OC) of Sonatola Police Station, said a case was lodged, accusing the principal and office assistant of rape. The principal was sent to court in the afternoon, which sent him to jail.

The principal confessed to his guilt, while the other accused has gone into hiding and police are trying to arrest him, added the OC.