Teacher visits child’s home with sweets after Tongi abuse allegation; family alleges threats

Madrasa teacher Moslem Ahmed, 30, visited a seven-year-old child’s home with sweets the day after he was accused of sexually abusing the child in Tongi, Gazipur. He left without meeting anyone from the family. The family, meanwhile, alleges that it is facing pressure to withdraw the complaint and remove a video posted on social media.

CCTV footage from the family’s building shows Moslem Ahmed entering with a red bag at 12:38pm on October 20. After speaking to security guards on the ground floor, he headed towards the lift. He was seen entering it the next minute. About 10 minutes later, he left the building carrying the same bag. Another clip showed a packet of sweets inside the bag.

The family said the accused teacher sent the child’s mother a WhatsApp message at 12:45pm that day, saying he was standing outside the door and wanted to meet. The child’s father was not home at the time. He ultimately did not meet anyone from the family.

It remains unclear why he visited with sweets the day after the allegation surfaced. He could not be reached for comment as he is now in prison.

Family alleges pressure to withdraw complaint

The child’s father alleges that family members have received threatening calls from various numbers after their mobile numbers were circulated. The callers have told them to withdraw the complaint and delete the video posted online. The threats have left the family living in fear.

Speaking on Monday (October 26), he said the family was facing pressure for seeking justice for his child. His protest, he said, was not against Islamic scholars but against individuals who commit crimes under the cover of their religious identity.

Responding to the allegations of threats, Tongi West Police Station Officer-in-Charge Arifur Rahman said both sides had verbally reported receiving threats. Police had not, however, received any written complaint about the matter.

Police find preliminary evidence supporting abuse allegation

Moslem Ahmed was accused of sexually abusing the child at a madrasa in Tongi on October 19. After the incident became known, the child’s father and local residents beat the accused teacher on October 21 and handed him over to police. A video of that incident circulated on social media.

Police arrested Moslem Ahmed in a case filed following the family’s complaint. He was later sent to prison. On Sunday (October 25), a court rejected his bail application.

OC Arifur Rahman said police had found preliminary evidence supporting the abuse allegation after visiting the scene and collecting evidence. The investigation is ongoing.