A madrasa student (13) has been accused of sexually assaulting a student in Bauphal, Patuakhali. He died while undergoing treatment at the Dhaka National Cancer Research Institute and Hospital around 8:30 pm on Friday.
However, the student's father said that his son died as a result of sexual abuse. He demanded justice for the madrasa director in the incident.
The deceased student was a student of the Hefz department of Madinatul Uloom Qawmia Hafezia Noorani Kindergarten Madrasa and Orphanage in Nazirpur Tanterkathi Union.
Locals said that when news of the boy's death spread, the accused, Selim Gazi, closed the madrasa and fled.
The boy's family said that after admission, he was sexually abused by the madrasa director Hafez Selim Gazi in various ways. He fell ill two weeks ago. Later, he was treated locally and admitted to the National Cancer Research Institute and Hospital.
The boy's father said that before his death, his son told him, 'Hafez Selim Gazi used to adore him very much since he was admitted. Later, the director kept him with him and sexually abused him almost every day.' He forbade anyone to say anything about this and threatened to kill his son. When the boy wanted to come home, Selim would bring him. He would leave him with his parents and grandfather for 10 to 15 minutes and then bring him back with him. He said, 'We gave our son to be trained as a Hafez in good faith. But the animal killed my father.' He cried, wanting justice for this.
Attempts were made to contact accused Selim Gazi on his mobile phone to discuss the matter, but his statement could not be taken as the phone was switched off.
Baufal Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Arichul Haque said that after learning about the matter, a GD was filed at the police station and the body was recovered. The body has been sent to Patuakhali General Hospital morgue for autopsy. However, the madrasa director Selim has closed the institution and fled, the OC said.