Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh | September 26 — A shocking case of child confinement has come to light in Bahraich’s Payagpur subdivision, where 40 minor girls were rescued from the bathroom of an illegally operated madrassa during a surprise raid by district authorities on Wednesday evening.
The Raid and Rescue
The operation was led by Payagpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Ashwani Pandey, who, accompanied by a police team and women constables, entered the premises following complaints from locals about suspicious activities. On inspecting the three-storey building, officials discovered 40 girls, aged between 9 and 14, locked inside a bathroom on the third floor.
“With the help of women police personnel, the girls were immediately rescued and handed over to the concerned authorities,” Pandey said.
Local Complaints and Suspicion
Villagers had long raised concerns about the madrassa, located in Bahraich’s Pehalwara area. Residents alleged that its operator, Khalil Ahmad, who previously ran a modest shoe-and-sandal shop, had suddenly amassed wealth — now owning a three-storey building and 24 shops. This unexplained rise in fortune fueled suspicion about the institution’s activities.
Official Statements
Authorities confirmed that the madrassa was running without recognition. District Minority Welfare Officer Mohammad Khalid reported that 495 unrecognised madrassas were currently operating in Bahraich. He added that a detailed report on the incident has been forwarded to the district magistrate and the state government.
Pandey also confirmed that a comprehensive report had been submitted: “Whether the girls were kept for madrassa activities or for some other purpose will be determined after a thorough police investigation. Further action will follow as per official orders.”
Operator on the Run
During the raid, the madrassa operator Khalil Ahmad ran away. His daughter Fatima, however, said the place was not a madrassa but only a coaching centre. She also claimed that the girls who were rescued were later taken home by their parents.
Call for a Wider Probe
The incident has triggered outrage among locals, many of whom have demanded an Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into possible financial irregularities. Some villagers even compared the case to the recent Utraula Chhangur Baba episode, which exposed illegal religious and monetary activities.
With the report already in the hands of higher authorities, the district administration has signaled that stronger action, including the possibility of an ED probe, may be taken. For now, the immediate concern remains the welfare of the rescued girls and uncovering the true purpose of the illegal madrassa’s operations.