Odisha madrasa horror: Boy found dead in septic tank after alleged abuse and murder by classmates

A shocking case has emerged in Odisha’s Nayagarh district, where police revealed that a 12-year-old madrasa student was sexually assaulted and murdered by fellow students.

Officials confirmed on Sept 7 that five juveniles, all between 13 and 15 years old, have been taken into custody and sent to the juvenile detention center at Angul.

“We found strong evidence against the five children in conflict with law (CCL) of the same madrasa. Two of the CCL forced the victim to indulge in unnatural sex with them. When he threatened to lodge a complaint, the five CCL strangled him to death and dumped his body in a septic tank,” Nayagarh Additional Superintendent of Police Subash Chandra Panda said.

The boy had gone missing on Sept 2, and his body was discovered the next day in an abandoned septic tank close to the madrasa.

CCTV recordings reportedly captured the five accused escorting him toward a deserted location before he disappeared.

“During questioning, the detained CCL confessed to the crime. The main accused, a 15-year-old, had been coercing the victim into an unnatural relationship for several months. The victim, fearing humiliation, did not report the abuse to madrasa or police authorities, nor to his family,” Panda said.

Investigators said the 15-year-old had earlier tried to kill the victim on Aug 31 by pushing him into the same septic tank.

On Sept 2, two of the accused again sexually assaulted the victim, after which all five allegedly strangled him when he threatened to expose them.

Authorities said the juveniles behaved normally afterward to avoid suspicion.

The madrasa authorities did not respond to queries, but police confirmed that the institution, which has 16 students aged 12 to 15, along with three teachers and a cook, is cooperating with the probe. The victim had been admitted to the madrasa last year.

“We have asked the madrasas to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. The victim's family will be provided support as per law,” a senior police officer said.