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Time of India
28-07-2025
- Time of India
SSB foils human trafficking bid in Madhubani
Madhubani: The 48th Battalion of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Jaynagar, foiled a human trafficking attempt near the Betouna Check Post in Madhubani on Sunday. According to a press release issued by SSB on Monday, acting on a credible intelligence provided by deputy commandant (operations) Vivek Ojha, the border interaction team (BIT) of 'G' company, Kamala border outpost, apprehended a 26-year-old man and rescued a 13-year-old minor girl, a resident of Kolkata (West Bengal). The operation was conducted around 4pm near border pillar no. 269/6, approximately 800 meters inside Indian territory. During routine checks, the SSB team observed suspicious activity involving the man and the minor. Preliminary investigations revealed a potential case of human trafficking, prompting immediate action. The girl was safely rescued, and the suspect was taken into custody. The 13-year-old girl, a resident of Kolkata, was handed over to Childline, an NGO, for further care and legal proceedings. She was subsequently transferred to Jaynagar police station for additional action. The man, a resident of Madhubani, was found in possession of an Aadhaar card. He has been handed over to Jaynagar police for legal action under the relevant provisions of the Child Protection Act and the Anti-Human Trafficking Act. Initial inquiries revealed that the man and the minor girl had been in contact for several months, and had traveled together to cities including Kolkata, Howrah, Pune, and Darbhanga. They were reportedly planning to settle in Ramaul village in Siraha district of Nepal. A missing persons report had been filed by the families of both persons at Topsia police station in Kolkata.
Express Tribune
24-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Madrassa teacher held for beating six-year-old in Swabi
Listen to article In another incident of corporal punishment at a religious seminary, police in Swabi have arrested a madrassa teacher for allegedly beating a six-year-old boy for arriving late to class — just days after a child died in a similar case in Swat's Khwazakhela area, Express News reported on Thursday. According to police and local media reports, the incident took place in Chota Lahore tehsil of Swabi district in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where Qari Muhammad Sohail allegedly subjected a young student to severe corporal punishment. The child's father, Muhammad Asim, told police that his son, Muhammad Essa, was regularly attending religious classes at the seminary when he was beaten with a stick for being late. 'There were visible red marks on the boy's back,' the complaint noted. Also Read: Punjab records highest death toll in monsoon-related incidents, NDMA confirms Following the complaint, a police team led by SDPO Circle Lahore Muhammad Nauman and SHO Altaf Khan reached the site and arrested the suspect. A case has been registered against the Qari under the Child Protection Act, and investigations are underway. Speaking to reporters, SDPO Nauman stressed the importance of community vigilance, urging parents and bystanders to immediately report any such incidents. 'Children are not just the responsibility of their families; they are the future of our society and must be protected,' he said. The incident follows closely on the heels of a tragic case in Swat, where 12-year-old Farhan died earlier this week after being subjected to hours of torture by his teachers at an unregistered madrassa in Swat. Read More: Madrassa head arrested after student's death in Swat According to a fellow student, Farhan was locked in a room and repeatedly beaten by three teachers for over five hours. Each reportedly took turns inflicting physical abuse until the boy succumbed to his injuries. Swat District Police Officer (DPO) Mohammad Umar Khan confirmed that ten individuals, including the head of the seminary, have been arrested in connection with the incident. Police say two more suspects remain at large and efforts are underway to apprehend them. The investigation also uncovered signs of physical abuse on several other students. A second case has been filed, and nine additional teachers have been taken into custody. Authorities said that approximately 160 children enrolled at the seminary have been handed back to their families.
Business Recorder
24-07-2025
- Business Recorder
10 arrested in connections to seminary's student murder
PESHAWAR: District Police Officer (DPO) Swat Muhammad Omar Khan has said that 10 people, including the patron of the seminary, have been arrested for the brutal murder of a young student and torture of children at an unregistered religious seminary. Talking to media at DPO Office Saidu Sharif on Wednesday, he said raids are being conducted to arrest 2 more accused named in the case. The police have also recovered sticks and chains from the madrasa in the Chaliyar locality of Khwaza Khela wherein the Assistant Commissioner Khwaza Khela has officially sealed the madrasa. DPO Swat Muhammad Omar Khan, along with SP Investigation Swat Badshah Hazrat Khan, he said that on July 21, the tortured body of 12-year-old Farhan son of Muhammad Ayaz, a resident of Piya Fatehpur, was brought to Khwaza Khela Hospital. The police took immediate action and registered a case against the madrasa's patron Qari Muhammad Omar, his son Ehsanullah, madrasa Nazim Abdullah, and later Bakht Amin under the murder and Child Protection Act on the complaint of the deceased's uncle Saddar Ayaz. Out of the nominated accused, Abdullah and Bakht Amin have been arrested, while the other two will be arrested soon. The DPO Swat said that separate case has been registered against 9 teachers after evidence of physical violence was found on other children in the madrasa and they have been arrested. The arrested accused include Omar Azda (Roria Charbagh), Bakht Amin (Madiyan], Mohsin (Bedara Matta), Gohar Ali (Shangla), Abdul Rehman (Langer Khwaza Khela), Syed Rehman (Dub Khwaza Khela), Noor Muhammad (Alam Ganj), Abdul Rehman (Chaliyar), and Sami-ur-Rehman (Chenkolai). He said that around 160 children studying in the seminary have been handed over to their parents while the facility has been closed on the grounds of being illegal and unregistered. He announced that list of unregistered madaris are being compiled across the district and strict action will be taken against them as well. The DPO Swat said that two accused, Muhammad Rehman and Abdul Salam, have been arrested under the Child Protection Act in connection with the incident of violence against another child in a madrasa in Gulkada. The DPO made it clear that no one is above the law, cruelty and violence against children will not be tolerated under any circumstances, and the involved elements will be brought to justice according to the law. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
23-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Madrassa head among 10 arrested following child's brutal death in Swat
Listen to article At least 10 people, including the head of an unregistered madrassa, have been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of a child in Khwazakhela area of Swat in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, while police continue to search for two more key suspects in the case, Swat District Police Officer (DPO) Mohammad Omar Khan confirmed on Wednesday. During a news conference at the DPO office in Saidu Sharif, DPO Khan, accompanied by SP Investigation Bashir Hazrat Khan, detailed the horrific events that led to the discovery of 12-year-old Farhan's body. Express News reported. On July 21, Farhan's beaten body was brought to Khwazakhela Hospital. Police immediately launched an investigation after the child's uncle, Sadr Ayaz, filed a report, leading to the identification of the madrassa's head, Qari Mohammad Omar, and other suspects. "An FIR was filed under the murder and Child Protection Act against the madrassa's head, his son, and other suspects," said DPO Khan, adding, "Two of the accused, Abdullah and Bakht Amin, have been arrested, and we are pursuing the remaining suspects." The police investigation revealed signs of physical abuse on other children at the madrassa, prompting an additional case to be filed against nine teachers all of whom were arrested. "Approximately 160 children enrolled at the madrassa have been handed over to their parents," he said. The madrassa, which was found to be operating illegally, has been sealed by the authorities. DPO Khan announced that a list of unregistered madrassas in the district is being compiled, and strict actions will be taken against them. Additionally, in a related case in Gulkada, two men, Mohammad Rahman and Abdul Salam, were arrested under the Child Protection Act for their involvement in the abuse of another child. "We will not tolerate cruelty or abuse against children, and those responsible will be brought to justice," DPO Khan asserted. Read More: Madrassa student killed in Swat after 'five hours of torture' by teachers A day earlier, a young student tragically died after being subjected to five hours of relentless physical abuse by his teachers at a madrassa in the Khwazakhela area of Swat in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The incident triggered widespread anger and grief in the region. Family members and local residents took to the streets in protest, blocking the main road in Khwazakhela bazaar, demanding severe punishment for the teachers involved. According to a fellow student, the victim was confined to a room by three teachers, who took turns torturing him for five hours. The abuse continued without interruption, with each teacher inflicting further pain until the child ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
ABC News
18-07-2025
- ABC News
Child sex offender pleads guilty to gardening at childcare centre where his wife worked
A convicted child sex offender — who failed to tell authorities he was doing maintenance and gardening work at a south-east Queensland childcare centre where his wife was a director — has been fined. The Beenleigh Magistrates Court heard on Thursday that Andrew William Vassel accepted witness accounts that he had played the role of Santa at a Christmas party at the Beenleigh Montessori Early Learning Centre south of Brisbane, 'but doesn't specifically recall' doing so. The 44-year-old pleaded guilty to breaching his reporting obligations under the Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Offender Prohibition Order) Act by failing to report his employment at the centre. There is no allegation Vassel offended against children at the centre and Queensland police say they have not received any reports in relation to the centre. The centre's operators have been contacted for comment about the case, which was first reported by 7 News. The court heard that Vassel, who appeared via video link, had been convicted of offences in New South Wales and had been a 'reportable offender' from February 2008 for a 15-year period. New South Wales court records show Vassel faced trial in 2007 and was convicted on two child sex abuse offences. The court heard on Thursday police received a tip-off in June this year that Vassel had been employed at the Beenleigh Montessori since 2018 as a gardener and maintenance worker – a job he told police he had been offered by his wife, the centre manager, Amanda Vassel – but had not reported those details to authorities. The court heard Vassel, who is also employed by the Brisbane City Council as a landscaper, had told police he hadn't reported the job because he was receiving cash in hand. He'd also told police he only did the work on weekends or on public holidays when children were not present because he "knew he was not allowed to work with children", the prosecutor said. 'When questioned whether he required a blue card, he stated he had done his research and as long as he worked on weekends and not when the children were present during the week, he did not require one," his lawyer Rachel Carson said. However, the court heard that witnesses had said he'd played the role of Santa at a past Christmas party at the centre. 'When questioned, the defendant stated he did not believe it was him and does not recall ever playing the role of Santa. He stated he definitely knew he would get in trouble with the police should he even do that,' the prosecutor said. His lawyer told the court Vassel had memory recall issues and 'doesn't specifically recall' playing Santa, however 'accepts the version of three witnesses'. Vassel, whose reporting obligations expired in 2023, was fined $2,000, with convictions recorded. In handing down the sentence, Magistrate Michael O'Driscoll said he took into account Vassel's plea of guilty and his lack of previous criminal history in Queensland. 'It is quite common for me to sentence people to imprisonment for this type of offending, so a fine is the most appropriate for your circumstances today. I think I'm more than influenced by the fact your reporting obligations have now expired,' Mr O'Driscoll said. A Department for Education spokeswoman said the Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (ECRA) will be investigating the matter. "[The ECRA] is aware of this matter and will be undertaking an investigation, working closely with the Queensland Police Service," she said. "Approved providers have clear responsibilities under the legislation regarding who may and may not be at the service premises when care is being provided to children. "Where steps are inadequate to ensure the health and safety of children, the Queensland Early Childhood Regulatory Authority does not hesitate to take robust and appropriate action, including prohibition and prosecution. "The department is not able to comment further on matters under investigation." The incident follows an unrelated case where a childcare worker was charged with the indecent treatment of a four-year-old child at a different Brisbane facility last week. Affinity Education Group, which runs the centre where the 21-year-old Cleveland man worked, has confirmed he was stood down once the allegations came to light and his employment has since been terminated. In a letter sent to parents, the centre confirmed it was committed to "being transparent within the boundaries set by police". "Police have advised they will be in direct contact with any families who may have been impacted," it read. Speaking on Friday morning, Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said communities expected to be kept safe. He said he was personally supportive of calls for a public child sex offenders register. "Our government will do whatever we need to do to ensure our children are safe," he told reporters. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli and Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek, on Thursday said the government had been working to strengthen regulation in the sector. "Something [had] to change," Mr Crisafulli said. "We are going to make sure that the blue card system works again. "We're going to have a proper commission to make sure that these kinds of things don't keep occurring time and time again." He said a fast-tracked reportable conduct system was being worked on, and a commission of inquiry was also looking at what could be done. A spokeswoman for Mr Langbroek's office said on Friday she was unable to comment on the matter. The ABC has contacted Ms Vassel for comment.
