Muslim cleric up for sex abuse

2005-03-28 17:17

Dhaka - A Muslim cleric who ran an Islamic religious school for girls in Bangladesh has been accused of having sex with his students and forcing those who became pregnant to have abortions, a news report said on Monday.

The Bangladesh Observer quoted local police in northern Lalmonirhat district as saying a criminal case of rape was filed against Maulana Nazmul Haq after a 15-year-old female student of the madrassa, or Islamic school, went for an abortion.

The female student reportedly told police that Haq had regular sexual relations with several resident students.

Local police officer Zakir Hossain said at least nine girls were sexually violated by Haq, with two of them forced to abort their pregnancies.

The Islamic school is located in the remote village of Tongbhanga in Lalmonirhat district 430km north of Dhaka. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA