Here’s a rephrased version: **40 Underage Girls Rescued from Locked Toilet in Illegal Madrassa in UP: Police.**
The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Payagpur, **Ashwini Kumar Pandey**, told PTI that the district administration had received **multiple complaints** about the operations of an **illegal madrassa** located in a three-story building in **Pahalwara village**, under **Payagpur tehsil**.
Frightened Girls Rescued from Locked Toilet of Unregistered Madrassa in Bahraich
Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh:
In a deeply disturbing incident, 40 young girls aged 9 to 14 were found locked inside a toilet of an unregistered madrassa in Pahalwara village, Payagpur tehsil, officials said on Thursday.
The girls, who were attending the madrassa, appeared terrified when they were finally brought out by female police personnel. Many were too frightened to speak clearly, highlighting the traumatic experience they had endured.
How the Situation Unfolded
According to Ashwini Kumar Pandey, Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Payagpur, the district administration had received repeated complaints about the madrassa operating in a three-story building without proper authorization.
“During the inspection on Wednesday, the madrassa operators tried to stop us from going upstairs. In the presence of police, we entered and discovered the locked toilet on the terrace,” Pandey said.
The girls reportedly locked themselves inside out of panic during the commotion, according to a madrassa teacher.
Concerns Over Legality
The madrassa, which had been running for around three years, lacked registration or legal documentation, said District Minority Welfare Officer Mohammad Khalid. It had also escaped a 2023 survey that identified 495 unregistered madrassas in Bahraich.
Khalid added that while some illegal madrassas had been sealed last year, their managers had obtained court stays, and the government is expected to introduce a new regulatory framework soon.
Immediate Actions Taken
Authorities have ordered the madrassa to be shut down, and all the girls have been safely returned to their homes. The police confirmed that no FIR has been registered yet, as no formal complaint has been filed, but legal action will follow if a complaint is received.
This shocking incident underscores the vulnerability of children in unregulated institutions and the urgent need for better oversight to ensure their safety and well-being.
