Maktab teacher jailed for seven years for sexually abusing child

A court in Faridpur has sentenced a maktab teacher to seven years in prison for sexually abusing a 10-year-old child in Nagarkanda upazila.

The court also fined the accused, Ariful Islam, 26, Tk 50,000, with an additional year of rigorous imprisonment if he fails to pay the fine.

Faridpur Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Shamima Parveen announced the verdict at around 1:30 PM on Sunday.

Ariful is the son of Md Khabir Mollah of Purura village in Bhawal Union under Saltha upazila. He was taken to jail under police escort after the verdict.

According to court sources, Ariful worked as an imam at a mosque in Ramnagar Union of Nagarkanda and taught children religious lessons at its morning maktab.

On October 5, 2024, the child went to the mosque early in the morning while it was raining. As no other children had arrived, Ariful allegedly sexually abused the child.

The child managed to open the door and escape before returning home and informing family members. The family and local residents then went to the mosque, detained Ariful and informed the police.

Police from Nagarkanda Police Station arrived and arrested him.

The child's mother filed a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act at Nagarkanda Police Station on the same day. The investigation officer, Sub-Inspector Shahidul Islam, submitted the charge sheet to the court on November 17, 2024.

Tribunal Public Prosecutor Golam Rabbani Bhuiyan Ratan confirmed the verdict and said the prosecution was satisfied with the ruling.

sks