A Dhaka court today placed a madrasa student on a five-day remand in a case filed over the alleged rape and abetment to the suicide of a 10-year-old boy in Dhaka’s Banasree area.

The accused, Shihab Hossain, 20, was arrested on Tuesday from his home in Pabna's Bera upazila in connection with the death of Abdullah, a student of Alokito Quran International Hifz Madrasa in Banasree.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Hasibuzzaman passed the order after police produced him before the court and sought a seven-day remand.

During the hearing, Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi and investigation officer Saiful Islam, a sub-inspector of Rampura Police Station, argued in favour of the remand.

Faruqi told the court that such incidents tarnish the dignity of society and the education system, and those responsible must be brought to justice.

“In the name of service, the hujurs (teachers) make little children massage their hands and feet. Eventually, they become attracted to the children. At one stage, such incidents (rape) occur,” he said.

No lawyer appeared on behalf of the accused during the hearing.

According to case documents, police went to the madrasa on May 19 after receiving reports that a child had died by suicide.

The body was later sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

During the inquest, officers found signs of sexual assault, prompting further questioning of madrasa authorities.

According to a press release issued by Motijheel Division Police, madrasa authorities later disclosed allegations that Shihab had sexually abused four other students at the institution.

On Wednesday, Abdullah’s mother, Tuku Ara Khatun, filed a case with Rampura Police Station against Shihab and an unnamed person under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.

Police said Shihab fled the madrasa before Abdullah’s death. A team from Rampura Police later tracked him down to his village home in Pabna and arrested him.