Police on Tuesday detained a madrasah teacher in Kumarkhali upazila of Kushtia on charges of raping a 10-year-old student.

The detainee was identified as Md Mostafizur Rahman, 25, a teacher and head of Taloa Hafezia Madrasah and Lillah Boarding in Sadki union and son of Abdur Rahman of Taherhuda union in Jhenaidah's Harinakundu upazila.

According to police, the victim's family and local residents, the alleged assault took place on July 12, when most senior students were away sitting examinations and only a few younger children remained at the madrasah.

The allegations came to light on Tuesday after another child was reportedly beaten during discussions about the incident, prompting local residents to gather at the madrasah.

The madrasah committee convened a meeting in the afternoon in an apparent attempt to resolve the matter. Local residents informed police after learning about the meeting.

Police reached the madrasah around 5:15pm and detained the accused teacher.

The child's father alleged that his son was sexually assaulted several times and demanded justice.

Madrasah committee President Md Zulfikar Mahmud admitted that a meeting was held after they learned of the allegations but claimed the facts were still unclear.

The accused teacher, however, denied the allegation.

Officer-in-Charge of Kumarkhali Police Station Jamal Uddin said there is no scope for settling such an allegation through arbitration.

"After receiving information about the incident, we detained the madrasah teacher. Preliminary investigation suggests the allegation is true. Legal proceedings are underway," he said.