Father who sued over Tongi madrasa child abuse case, Shahjalal Rumi, says in a text message he has left the country

Shahjalal Rumi, the father of a seven-year-old child who was sexually abused at a cadet madrasa in Tongi, Gazipur, has left the country after facing a counter-case filed by the madrasa principal following his own lawsuit over the abuse. He confirmed the matter himself in a text message sent to the media at around 8pm on Monday.

In the message, however, he did not say which country he is currently in. 'I am no longer in this country. I am not thinking about these things anymore, whatever happens will happen — you all stay well,' Shahjalal Rumi said in the message.

In the message he also voiced anger against the principal of the Qariul Quran International Cadet Madrasa, alleging that despite being an alem (Islamic scholar), the principal has told many lies and is still telling them.

Earlier, on 21 October, the child student was sexually abused at the Qariul Quran International Cadet Madrasa in the Auchpara area of Tongi. Shahjalal Rumi beat the accused teacher, Md Moslem Uddin, and handed him over to the police.

A video of the incident spread on social media, sparking widespread discussion and criticism across the country.

Rumi later filed a sexual abuse case as the plaintiff at Tongi West Police Station over the incident.

After the incident, however, a counter-case was filed on behalf of the madrasa's principal. That case accused Shahjalal Rumi of offences including the theft of 17 lakh taka. Rumi had largely gone into hiding since the counter-case was filed, and on Monday he announced that he had left the country.