Raipur, Lakshmipur: Headteacher sent to jail over sexual harassment of fourth-grade student

PNN News Desk, Lakshmipur

Abdur Rahim, a headteacher and local Jamaat leader, has been sent to jail by court order after four months in hiding for sexually harassing a fourth-grade student in Raipur, Lakshmipur.

On Sunday (January 11), Rahim surrendered at the Women and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal and applied for bail. Judge Sadekur Rahman rejected the bail request and ordered him to be sent to jail.

The incident occurred on September 24 in North Raipur village, Raipur Union. According to the case, the accused teacher was tutoring the student and her brother at his residence. During the session, he cleverly sent the boy to buy chips from a shop and sexually harassed the girl. When the student returned home and informed her family, her mother filed a case at Raipur Police Station that very night.

Court sources said that Abdur Rahim, 40, is a resident of Char Mohna village in Char Mohna Union and is the headteacher of Begum Rokeya School in Chalatatuli, Raipur Union. He previously served as the general secretary of Ward 1 of the local Jamaat branch.

Locals alleged that the teacher had previously harassed other female students, and they claimed to have proof or video evidence of his misconduct. He had been on the run since the incident.

Raipur Police Inspector (Investigation) Abdul Mannan said the police started investigations immediately and have already submitted a chargesheet to the court. The court sending him to jail marks an important step in the legal process.

Abdur Rahim, however, has consistently denied the allegations, claiming before the court and reporters that he is a victim of family disputes and local conspiracy. His wife also claims his innocence.