A disturbing incident of alleged sexual harassment has rocked Pabna, leading to the detention of a madrasa director and subsequent public unrest. On the morning of October 23, 2026, local residents apprehended Abu Yusuf (55), the director of a residential madrasa for girls, following accusations that he attempted to assault a 16-year-old student.
According to reports, the incident occurred in the early hours of Friday. The victim had stepped out of her dormitory room when the accused allegedly dragged her into his private quarters with the intent to commit sexual assault. The victim's cries alerted a fellow student, who immediately sought help from the neighborhood. Local residents rushed to the scene, rescued the girl, and detained the teacher before notifying the authorities.
As news of the incident spread, the local community became enraged, leading to a violent outburst. A mob vandalized the madrasa building and set it on fire. Police arrived shortly thereafter to disperse the crowd and ensure the safety of the remaining students, who were evacuated from the premises. Additional police forces have been deployed to the area to maintain law and order and prevent further escalation.
Witnesses noted that the accused had been operating the residential madrasa out of a rented single-story house. While female students and teachers resided in one section of the building, the director occupied an adjacent room, which allegedly provided him the opportunity to commit the act.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that the accused is currently in custody. The victim's family is in the process of filing a formal complaint, and police have initiated a thorough investigation into the matter. Authorities have urged the public to remain calm while the legal process takes its course, emphasizing that strict action will be taken against the perpetrator based on the findings of the investigation.
