Lucknow / agencies
Fifty two -52 girls aged six to 19, who were reportedly held hostage in a madarsa in the old city area of Lucknow, were rescued last night.
Madarsa manager Mohd Tayyab Zia, who had been allegedly exploiting the girls, was arrested. Madarsa Jamia Khadeejtul Qubra Lilabnat, situated in Yasinganj area under Saadatganj police jurisdiction, was being used as girls’ hostel.
The patron of the madarsa, Syed Mohd Jilani Ashraf, had reported the matter to the local police station, but no action was taken. He then approached Lucknow senior superintendent of police. Though there were 101 girls living in the madarsa hostel, only 52 were present when the police raided the facility. Rest of the girls were believed to have gone to their families during winter vacation.
The girls rescued from the madarsa reportedly told the police that the manager used to sexually harass them under duress. Any girl who raised objections would be threatened of dire consequences, it was alleged. The girls were later sent to a women’s protective home in Lucknow. Further investigations are being conducted.