Kumar Bahukhandi
40 girls aged 9-14 rescued from locked toilet in unregistered Bahraich madrassa. Image credit – X.
Bahraich-Uttar Pradesh: A major revelation was made during an investigation of an illegal madrasa in Pahalwara village, Bahraich. When the administrative team raided the building, they found 40 girls aged 9 to 14 locked in a toilet on the building’s roof. Questions have been raised about the operation of this unregistered madrasa. Orders have been issued to close the institution and the girls have been safely sent their respective homes.
A major case has come to light regarding the operation of illegal madrasas in Bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh. During an investigation of a madrasa operating in a three-story building in Pahalwara village, Payagpur tehsil, the administrative team found 40 minor girls hiding in the toilet. The girls were reported to be between 9 and 14 years old.
40 girls found locked in toilet
According to a news agency report, SDM Ashwini Kumar Pandey stated that there had been continuous complaints about illegal madrasas operating in the district. When the team, accompanied by police, raided the madrasa on Wednesday September 24, 2025 , the madrasa operators tried to prevent them from going upstairs. Subsequently, when the door to the rooftop toilet was opened in the presence of female police officers, 40 frightened girls emerged one by one.
During the investigation, the manager and teachers were asked for registration documents, but none were produced. District Minority Welfare Officer Mohammad Khalid stated that locals informed them that the madrasa had been operating for about three years but had not been registered. A 2023 survey report identified 495 illegal madrasas in the district, but this one had been omitted.
Order to close the illegal madrasa
When questioned about why the students hid in the toilet despite having eight rooms, teacher Takseem Fatima explained that the students had panicked and locked themselves inside during the chaos during the raid.
Currently, the administration has ordered the institution to be closed, and the students have been safely sent home. Khalid stated that the madrasa’s documents are under investigation.
Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Ramanand Prasad Kushwaha stated that no FIR has been filed in this case yet. Legal action will be taken if the family, the SDM, or the Minority Welfare Officer files a complaint.
