Police have arrested the vice principal of a madrasa in Tongi, Gazipur, following allegations that he sexually abused a seven-year-old class-one student.

The accused, Md Moslem Ahammad, 30, was the vice principal of Qariul Quran International Madrasa in the Madhya Auchpara area of Tongi.

Confirming the incident, Tongi West Police Station Officer-in-Charge Arif Hossain said a preliminary investigation supported the allegation, following which the victim’s father filed a case. The accused was produced before a court on Thursday, which ordered him to be remanded.

According to the case documents, the incident took place at around 10am on 19 October on the ground-floor staircase of the madrasa, located on Shafiuddin Road in Auchpara.

Police and the victim’s family said the teacher threatened to beat the child if she told anyone about the incident. Frightened, she stopped attending the madrasa for three consecutive days.

When her family later questioned her about her absence, the child disclosed the alleged abuse. Her father went to the madrasa on Wednesday afternoon (October 21) to seek an explanation from the vice principal.

As news of the allegation spread, a crowd gathered on the madrasa premises, surrounded the accused and assaulted him, according to the account provided. Police arrived after being informed of the incident, rescued him from the crowd and took him into custody.

The victim’s family claimed that the accused confessed to the offence and sought forgiveness.

According to the case documents, the accused is the son of Md Moynal Hoque and Mst Monowara Khatun. Hailing from Kurigram, he lives in Auchpara, within the jurisdiction of Tongi West Police Station under Gazipur City Corporation.