Imam sentenced to 7 years in jail for sexually abusing child in Faridpur

A court in Faridpur has sentenced an imam and maktab teacher, Ariful Islam (26), to seven years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually abusing a 10-year-old child in Nagarkanda upazila. The court also fined him 50,000 Taka, with an additional one year of imprisonment in default. Faridpur Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Shamima Parveen delivered the verdict on Sunday afternoon.

Convicted Ariful is the son of Md. Khabir Molla from Purura village under Bhawal union in Saltha upazila, Faridpur. He used to lead prayers at a mosque near the victim's house in Ramnagar union of Nagarkanda upazila and taught children religious studies at the maktab in the morning. Following the verdict, he was sent to jail under police guard.

According to court sources, Ariful used to summon children to the mosque for religious education using a loudspeaker every morning. On October 5, 2024, due to rain, he did not use the loudspeaker. When the child went to the mosque alone, teacher Ariful attempted physical and sexual abuse and eventually ejaculated on the child. Later, the victim cleverly opened the door, ran home, and informed the family.

Family members and locals quickly rushed to the mosque, detained Ariful Islam, and informed the police. Upon receiving the news, Nagarkanda police station officers arrived at the scene and arrested the accused teacher. On the same day, the victim's mother filed a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act at Nagarkanda police station.

Reported by 16 outlets. See the original sources below for full details.