Swat Seminary Sealed Following Student’s Death

Following the death of a 14-year-old student allegedly tortured by a teacher, authorities have shut down the unregistered seminary in Swat, according to District Police Officer (DPO) Mohammad Umar on Wednesday.

The young student reportedly died from beatings inflicted by instructors at a seminary in the Khwazakhela region of Swat. Fellow students and teachers transported him to the closest hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Addressing a press conference, DPO Umar verified that the teenage student died due to the alleged beating by the teacher.

He stated that law enforcement has apprehended two of the four suspects identified in the initial report (FIR), and nine additional individuals are in custody related to the matter.

According to DPO Umar, the madrassa, which was operating without proper registration, has been shut down.

The police officer described the event as “unfortunate” and stated that the police had filed the lawsuit on their own initiative and would not bow to political pressure as the investigation proceeded.

Reports surfaced a day prior indicating that physical abuse had been a persistent problem at the madrassa, with numerous students experiencing violent treatment in recent months.

DPO Umar noted that a case has been filed under Section 302 (premeditated murder) of the Child Protection Act, along with other pertinent clauses. Authorities have confiscated items used in the abuse of students from the premises.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Private Schools Regulatory Authority had earlier in May of this year outlawed corporal punishment in private schools, ordering them to guarantee compliance with the ban.

The letter also stated that anyone found guilty could be sentenced to up to six months in prison or a fine of 50,000 rupees.

In April, a four-year-old student was allegedly abused by his teacher at a seminary in the Batapur region for failing to remember his lesson. The incident sparked outrage, prompting authorities to pursue legal action in response to a complaint made by the victim’s father.