School Manager Placed on 4‑Day Remand in Child Abuse Case

A court in Dhaka today ordered the manager of a private school to be placed on four days of police remand in connection with a case filed over the alleged abuse of a young student.

The accused, Pabitra Kumar Barua, 47, who serves as the manager of Sharmin Academy in the Nayapaltan area of the capital, was produced before the court, where magistrates granted the remand following a hearing requested by police investigators. The remand was approved so that authorities can carry out further questioning as part of the ongoing investigation.

The case stems from an incident involving a four‑year‑old child enrolled in the school’s playgroup class, whose mother discovered signs of physical mistreatment and unusual behavior when she went to pick him up. A video of the alleged abuse that later emerged on social media drew widespread public outrage and prompted the child’s mother to file a formal complaint with police.

Police arrested Pabitra Kumar Barua in a pre‑dawn operation in Mirpur’s Section‑6 area earlier this week. He is also the husband of the school’s principal, who remains at large. Charges against both include serious allegations of mistreatment of the minor student.

During the court proceedings, law enforcement emphasized that the initial interrogation and evidence gathered supported the allegations, necessitating continued questioning to fully uncover the details of the incident and identify any other individuals involved. The authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring a thorough investigation and upholding child protection laws.

The court’s remand order allows law enforcement to detain the school manager for a set period to assist with the inquiry as mandated under the legal framework governing criminal investigations.