40 Minor Girls Found Locked Inside Toilet of Illegal Madrasa in Bahraich, Institution Shut Down

Lucknow | September 26, 2025 In a shocking discovery, 40 minor girls, aged between seven and 14, were rescued from inside a locked toilet of an unrecognised madrasa in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district on Wednesday evening. The incident came to light during a surprise inspection carried out by the local administration at the madrasa located in Pahalpurwa village under Payagpur tehsil. Officials said the madrasa was being operated illegally inside a three-storey building without any government recognition or approval. Acting on inputs about its activities, a team led by Payagpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Ashwini Pandey conducted the search. The madrasa has since been shut down, and all 40 girls have been sent back to their homes after their details were recorded. SDM Pandey said he submitted a detailed report of the operation to Bahraich District Magistrate (DM) Akshay Tripathi. The District Minority Officer (DMO) was also directed to investigate. “When our team reached the building, the madrasa manager, Khalil Ahmed, initially resisted our entry. After checking the floors and terrace, we noticed unusual commotion from one of the toilets on the terrace. It was bolted from outside. To our shock, 40 frightened girls were found locked inside,” Pandey said. When questioned, Khalil Ahmed claimed the girls panicked during the search and were locked inside for safety, an explanation officials have dismissed as unacceptable. The rescued children appeared scared but were unharmed. DM Tripathi confirmed receipt of reports from both the SDM and DMO. “So far, no evidence of other illegal activities has been found. I am forwarding a report to the Principal Secretary (Minority Department) for further action,” he said. DMO Mohammad Khalid stated that Ahmed had failed to produce proper documents proving the madrasa’s legitimacy. While he provided admission forms of the 40 enrolled girls, he could only name one teacher, his daughter Taqseem Fatima. “Despite being asked to submit required documents by Thursday evening, he has not complied,” Khalid said. Authorities further revealed that this madrasa had not been identified during the extensive state-wide survey of 2023, which recorded both recognised and unrecognised madrasas. In Bahraich district alone, 495 unrecognised madrasas were found that year. “We had no prior information about this particular institution. More time is needed to determine whether any illegal activity beyond unrecognised operation was being conducted,” Khalid added. In recent years, the Uttar Pradesh government has carried out large-scale drives to identify and act against unrecognised madrasas, particularly those operating on encroached government land. Earlier this year, similar actions were taken across Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, and Siddharthnagar districts, leading to demolitions and sealing of several such properties. The Bahraich incident has sparked concerns about the safety and wellbeing of children enrolled in unregulated institutions. Officials have assured further investigation and strict action against those responsible for the illegal madrasa’s functioning. 40 Girls Rescued from Illegal Madrasa in Bahraich In a shocking incident, 40 minor girls aged between seven and 14 were found locked inside a toilet of an unrecognised madrasa in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district. The discovery was made during a surprise inspection by the administration on Wednesday evening. Officials said the madrasa was being operated illegally without government approval. The girls were rescued and sent home after their details were recorded. The institution has now been shut down, and the building’s manager Khalil Ahmed is under investigation for failing to provide documents. Authorities have promised strict action while further inquiries are being carried out.