40 Minor Girls Discovered Locked in Toilet at Illegal Madrassa in Uttar Pradesh: Investigation Underway

40 Minor Girls Found Locked Inside Toilet Of Illegal Madrassa In UP: Cops

Further investigation is currently underway in this disturbing case. (Representational)

In a shocking discovery in Bahraich, authorities found forty girls between the ages of nine and fourteen confined inside a toilet of an unregistered madrassa during an official inspection.

Payagpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Ashwini Kumar Pandey revealed to PTI that the district administration had received multiple complaints about an illegal madrassa operating within a three-storey building located in Pahalwara village under Payagpur tehsil.

"During our inspection on Wednesday, the madrassa operators initially attempted to prevent us from accessing the upper floors. However, with police present, we entered the premises and discovered a locked toilet on the terrace," he explained.

When female police personnel opened the door, they found 40 frightened young girls hiding inside the toilet. The girls emerged one by one, appearing visibly scared and unable to communicate clearly about their situation.

The SDM has directed District Minority Welfare Officer Mohammad Khalid to verify the registration status and legality of the institution.

According to Khalid, local residents reported that the madrassa had been operating without proper registration for approximately three years.

"The management and staff failed to provide any documentation proving registration or legal status. During a 2023 survey that identified 495 unregistered madrassas in Bahraich, this particular institution appears to have escaped detection," he stated.

Khalid noted that the state government has not yet established a clear policy regarding such illegal madrassas. While some were sealed last year, their operators obtained stays from the High Court. A new regulatory framework is expected from the government in the near future.

"When questioned about why the girls were hiding in the toilet despite the madrassa having eight rooms available, teacher Takseem Fatima claimed that the girls panicked during the commotion and locked themselves inside," he added.

Officials are currently examining the madrassa's records, and orders have been issued to close the facility. "The management has been instructed to ensure the girls return safely to their homes, and it appears all have now been reunited with their families," Khalid confirmed.

Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Ramanand Prasad Kushwaha stated that no First Information Report (FIR) has been filed thus far. "Neither the parents, the SDM, nor the minority welfare officer has approached us to register a case. If we receive any complaint, appropriate legal action will be taken," he assured.