Family of Shahjalal Rumi Leaves Tongi Home, Flat Found Locked as His Whereabouts Remain Unknown

Questions over the whereabouts of Shahjalal Rumi — who came into the spotlight after beating a madrasa teacher accused of sexually abusing a seven-year-old student in Tongi, Gazipur — have deepened. His family members have left their home, and he himself has sent a message saying he has left the country; where he is now could not be confirmed.

On Tuesday afternoon (27 October), the family's flat in the Auchpara area of Tongi was found locked.

The building's caretaker, Md Habibur Rahman, said Rumi's family left the Gazipur home last Friday. Rumi used to visit the flat occasionally. According to the caretaker, Rumi lives in Dhaka with his second wife and family members. He said he did not know where Rumi is at present.

Rumi's father-in-law, Mokaram Ali, contacted by phone, also could not give any confirmed information on whether Rumi is in the country or has gone abroad. He said they are not staying at that home now.

Earlier, at around 8pm on Monday (26 October), Shahjalal Rumi told the media in a text message that he was no longer in the country. ‘Stay well,’ he wrote. He gave no details of when, how or to which country he had gone, and his departure could not be independently confirmed.

The incident began on 21 October at the Qariul Quran International Cadet Madrasa in Auchpara, Tongi, where an allegation of sexual abuse was raised against a teacher over a seven-year-old student. The child's father, Shahjalal Rumi, slapped and beat the teacher, Md Moslem Uddin, and later handed him over to police. A video of the incident spread on social media, sparking discussion and criticism across the country.

Rumi later filed a case at Tongi West police station as plaintiff over the alleged child sexual abuse. The madrasa principal's side, in turn, filed a counter-case against Rumi, bringing allegations including the theft of 17 lakh taka.