Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Payagpur, Ashwini Kumar Pandey, told PTI that the district administration had received repeated complaints regarding the functioning of an illegal madrassa inside a three-storey building in Pahalwara village under Payagpur tehsil.
“On Wednesday (24 September), when we went to the building for an inspection, the madrassa operators initially tried to stop us from going upstairs. In the presence of police, we entered the premises and found the toilet on the terrace locked,” he said.
Girls Rescued From Locked Toilet
When the door was opened by female police personnel, 40 girls, aged between nine and 14, hiding inside the toiletcame out one by one. “The girls looked frightened and were unable to say anything clearly,” the SDM added.
Confirming the same, officials said villagers had long suspected that something suspicious was going on inside the madrassa in the Pahalwara area of Payagpur. Several complaints had been lodged by the locals. Acting on these, the SDM, accompanied by police personnel and women constables, raided the premises.
During the raid, madrassa operator Khalil Ahmad attempted to stop the team from entering. However, after police intervention, the team entered the premises and began a search.
“During inspection, we found a large three-storey building. On checking the third floor, we discovered 40 minor girls aged between 9 and 14 locked inside a bathroom. With the help of women police personnel, the girls were immediately rescued and handed over to the authorities concerned,” Pandey said.
Registration and Legality Under Question
The SDM said District Minority Welfare Officer Mohammad Khalid has been asked to verify the registration and legality of the institution. According to Khalid, locals said that the madrassa had been running for around three years without registration.
“The management and staff could not produce any document related to registration or legality. During the 2023 survey, 495 unregistered madrassas were identified in Bahraich and it appears this one escaped the survey team’s notice then,” he said.
He added that the state government has not issued a clear policy regarding such illegal madrassas so far. While some were sealed last year, their managers obtained a stay from the High Court. A new regulatory framework is expected from the government soon.
Girls Sent Back to Families
“During questioning, we asked why the girls were hiding inside the toilet despite there being eight rooms in the madrassa, to which a teacher, Takseem Fatima, replied that the girls panicked in commotion and locked themselves inside,” Khalid added.
He said the madrassa records are being examined, and orders have been issued to shut it down. “The management has been told to send the girls safely to their homes and it seems all have now reached back home,” Khalid said.
Operator Fled During Raid
District minority welfare officer Mohammad Khalid further confirmed that as many as 495 unrecognised madrassas were currently operating across the district. He said a detailed report on the incident would be forwarded to the state government. During the raid, madrassa operator Khalil Ahmad managed to flee the spot.
His daughter Fatima, however, denied the allegations, claiming the premises housed a coaching centre and not a madrassa. She further said that after the raid, all the rescued girls were taken away by their parents.
Local Reactions and Wealth Suspicion
The incident has sparked sharp local reactions. Residents questioned the sudden rise in the wealth of the madrassa operator. They alleged that Khalil, who a decade ago ran a small shoe-and-sandal shop, now owns a three-storey building and 24 shops in the area.
Some villagers even linked the case to Utraula’s Chhangur Baba episode, which recently exposed illegal religious and financial activities, and demanded a probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Police Action Awaited
Additional Superintendent of Police (City), Ramanand Prasad Kushwaha, said no FIR has been registered so far. “The parents, SDM, or the minority welfare officer has not approached us for lodging a case so far. If any complaint is received, appropriate legal action will be taken,” he said.
SDM Pandey confirmed that a comprehensive report was already submitted to the district magistrate. He added that further action, including the possibility of an ED probe, will depend on directives from higher authorities.
