Dhaka: Police have arrested an administrative officer of Sharmin Academy in the Naya Paltan area over allegations of physically and mentally abusing a four-year-old student. Pabitra Kumar Barua, 47, was detained around 4:30 am on Friday from Mirpur-6 during a special drive.

According to United News of Bangladesh, a video of the incident circulated widely on social media, sparking strong public outrage. The victim, Muhammad Farz Bin Aman, started attending the academy’s play class on November 19, 2025. On January 18, 2026, his mother dropped him at the school at approximately 11:20 am.

Upon her return in the afternoon, she found the school’s principal, Sharmin Jahan, and Pabitra holding the child inside an office room. The child later informed his parents that he had been beaten and threatened not to disclose the incident. Police reported that CCTV footage, collected with the help of locals, shows the child being abused.

The child sustained injuries to his head, neck, and ears and was initially taken to Naya Paltan Islami Bank Hospital. He was later referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for further treatment. Following a complaint filed by the child’s mother on January 22 under the Children Act, police registered a case against the principal, her husband, and Pabitra.

Police stated that Pabitra was arrested using technological assistance and subsequently sent to court.