The High Court has directed Shahjalal Rumi, an accused in a case over the alleged vandalism of a madrasa, assault on a teacher and looting of Tk17 lakh in Tongi, Gazipur, to surrender before the Gazipur Metropolitan Court within four weeks.
A High Court bench comprising Justice Md Selim and Justice Md Asif Hasan passed the order on Tuesday.
Lawyers Mahbubur Rahman Khan, Bellal Hossain and Ruhul Amin Molla (Hasan) appeared for the petitioner.
The case was filed on 23 October by Mohammad Almas Hossain, headteacher of Qariul Quran International Madrasa in the Madhya Auchpara area of Tongi.
According to the complaint, Shahjalal Rumi and a group of outsiders entered the madrasa, assaulted a teacher, vandalised the office room and looted Tk17 lakh.
In a separate case, police arrested teacher Muslem Uddin, vice-principal of the institution, over allegations of sexually assaulting a seven-year-old student.
The case was filed by the child’s family, accusing the teacher of kissing and sexually abusing the girl.
He was subsequently sent to jail.
On 25 October, Muslem Uddin sought bail before the Gazipur Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court.
The court rejected his bail petition after a hearing.
According to the child’s family, the alleged abuse occurred inside the madrasa on 20 October. The vice-principal reportedly warned the child that she would be beaten if she disclosed the incident to anyone.
Distressed by the ordeal, the student stayed away from the madrasa for the following three days, eventually revealing the abuse when questioned by family members about her absence.
Upon learning of the allegations, the girl’s father Shahjalal Rumi went to the madrasa and demanded an explanation from the vice-principal. As news of the incident spread, local residents gathered at the institute and surrounded the suspect, with members of the crowd assaulting him at one stage.
Police officers subsequently arrived at the scene, rescued the accused, and took him into custody.
