A madrasha student died on Wednesday while being taken to Jashore for treatment, with his father alleging that he was tortured and killed by teachers at the institution.
The deceased was identified as Syed Sulaiman Islam, 14, son of Syed Ikramul Islam of Ramchandrapur village in Sadar upazila and a first-year student of the Kitab section at Markazul Quran Madrasha in Laskarpur-Chanmari near Narail town.
Police detained three teachers of the madrasa for questioning in connection with the incident.
Sulaiman's father, Ikramul Islam, said his son went to the madrasa from home on Tuesday morning.
Around 11 am Wednesday, the family was informed by the madrasha authorities that Sulaiman fell sick.
Family members then took him to Narail District Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, they decided to take him to Jashore for better treatment, but he died on the way.
Ikramul alleged that his son suffered injuries from physical torture, including around his neck and other parts of his body.
He also alleged that the madrasa authorities did not take Sulaiman to hospital even after he became ill and that he was tortured and killed on Tuesday night.
“I want a proper investigation into the incident,” he said.
.llHowever, Markazul Quran Madrasa Principal Maulana Nazmus Sayadat Al Mamun denied the allegations, saying no teacher physically assaulted Sulaiman.
He said Sulaiman was admitted to hospital after falling ill and subsequently died.
The principal said an autopsy would establish the actual cause of death.
Officer-in-Charge of Narail Sadar Police Station Rasel Sarwar said the three teachers — Yusuf Haider, Hasibur Rahman and Fahad Sheikh — have been detained for questioning.
He said no written complaint has yet been filed by the family.
Additional Superintendent of Police Rakibul Hasan said the body has been sent to the district hospital for an autopsy.
“The actual cause of death will be known after we receive the autopsy report,” he said.