Madrasa principal held over attempted rape in Noakhali

A madrasa principal was arrested on charges of attempting to rape a female student at Subarnachar upazila of Noakhali district on Thursday. 

The accused is identified as Mufti Abul Khayer, 35, son of Abul Barek from Madhyabagya village serving as the principal of Darul Arqam Islamia Madrasa.

According to police sources, the victim's father filed a case against Khayer at Char Jabbar Police Station on April 16, alleging molestation. 

The victim later provided a statement at Noakhali Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, leading the court to issue a warrant for the accused.

The incident gained further notoriety after the victim's house was attacked and vandalized on April 18. A video of the attack went viral on social media, sparking widespread public outcry. 

In response, the victim's mother filed a second case. Police previously arrested one individual, Nizam Uddin Jahangir, on April 18 in connection with the violence after reviewing video footage.

Char Jabbar Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Lutfur Rahman confirmed the arrest, stating that Abul Khayer was tracked down in Maizdee using information technology. He is the sole accused in the attempted rape case and a named suspect in the house-vandalism case. 

The accused is scheduled to be produced before the Noakhali Chief Judicial Magistrate Court on Friday morning, the OC added.

TZ