Teacher detained over 'sexual assault of student' at Dhaka mosque

Police have detained a Quran teacher over an allegation that he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old student at a mosque in the capital's Mohammadpur area.

The accused, Md Hossain Ahmed, 48, was detained from Baitul Fazal Jame Mosque on Nurjahan Road today (6 September), said police.

Mohammadpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Abdul Halim confirmed the detention, saying police took Hossain into custody after the student's father filed a written complaint.

"Further legal action is being taken in connection with the allegation," the OC told The Business Standard.

According to the complaint, Hossain has been teaching Quran at the mosque for around three years, conducting one-hour lessons. The student had been learning from him for about two years.

The complaint said the student had recently become reluctant to attend the mosque for lessons. When a cousin asked why, the boy allegedly disclosed that the teacher had sexually assaulted him and that he was afraid to return to the mosque.

The alleged assault took place on 2 September, according to the complaint. It said that after the other students left following the lesson, Hossain allegedly took the boy to a bedroom and sexually assaulted him.

The teacher also allegedly threatened the student with consequences if he disclosed the incident to anyone, the complaint said.

The boy's father told TBS over the phone that he learned of the allegation today and reported it to police.

He said his son would undergo a medical examination tomorrow (7 September).