On November 27 the skeletal remains of an 8-year-old girl were uncovered in an abandoned madrasa, Qadriya Uloom, in Pokharpur area under Jajmau police limits. This madrasa, once a center for education, has been closed since the COVID-19 lockdown, only to resurface as a grim site of tragedy. The incident has sparked outrage and raised urgent questions about the safety and oversight of such establishments.
The grim find came to light when Anas, the nephew of the madrasa’s deceased operator Parvez Akhtar, noticed the lock on the premises broken. Along with locals, he entered the property and stumbled upon a skeleton in a small room near the kitchen. Shattered by the discovery, Anas immediately alerted the authorities, who arrived to investigate.
Forensic teams, along with senior officers Additional DCP Rajesh Srivastava and ACP Cantt Ajay Mishra, combed through the scene for evidence. The skeletal remains were sent for a postmortem examination, with DNA samples taken to establish the child’s identity.
“This is a highly sensitive case, and we are leaving no stone unturned. The investigation will determine the cause of death and whether the premises were used for illegal activities,” said ADCP Rajesh Srivastava.
The Qadriya Uloom madrasa, a two-storey structure spanning 100 square yards, was established in 2015 by Parvez Akhtar, a resident of Nai Sadak. Initially a vibrant educational hub hosting 70 to 80 primary-level students from the neighborhood, it became dormant after the pandemic-induced lockdown. The situation worsened when Parvez succumbed to cancer in June 2022, leaving the property unmonitored.
However, what has baffled investigators is a glaring contradiction. Despite claims by the madrasa’s family that it had been unused for years, a date—May 20, 2022—was found scrawled on a classroom blackboard. Dust-covered benches and chairs suggested abandonment, but the fresh date indicates potential undisclosed activity within the premises.
Adding to the intrigue, the small room where the skeleton was found had a window and a locked door leading to an open ground behind the building. This raises questions about whether someone deliberately used the space for nefarious purposes.
Residents near the madrasa revealed a disturbing pattern of neglect. Vijay Singh, a neighbor, explained how the area’s proximity to a forested dumping ground desensitised them to foul smells. “Dead animals and garbage are frequently dumped here. That’s why no one thought much of the smell,” Singh said.
This atmosphere of apathy allowed the girl’s remains to remain hidden for years. The skeleton was found with some clothing intact—half-pants and an upper garment—adding to the horror of the discovery.
Parvez’s family expressed shock and denied any wrongdoing. Hamza, Parvez’s son, claimed they last visited the madrasa two years ago when they found its lock broken. They replaced the lock but had not inspected the property since.
“We had no idea this could happen. My cousin Anas noticed the broken lock recently and found the skeleton. This is devastating for our family,” Hamza said.
Yet, the family’s explanations have not dispelled public skepticism. How could a structure left unused since 2020 suddenly reveal signs of recent use? Was the property truly abandoned, or was it exploited for illegal purposes?
The police have begun investigating possible connections to missing persons cases from the past four years. The discovery raises concerns about whether the girl’s death was a result of confinement, violence, or another cause. Officials are also probing inconsistencies in the family’s statements and the mysterious signs of activity within the supposedly defunct premises.
