A 13-year-old student of a private madrasa in Cooch Behar was allegedly mercilessly beaten up by a teacher of the institution with a bamboo stick on January 14 and 15.

The incident came to light on Wednesday as the boy, who was under treatment at MJN Medical College and Hospital here, was discharged. His mother Majeda Bibi told the media that the teacher "tortured" her son.

Sources said the private madrasa in Panishala under Cooch Behar-I block provides free residential education to around 50 students.

“On the night of January 14 and again on January 15, my son was severely beaten up with a bamboo stick by teacher Imran Ali, who accused my son of stealing money. My son fell ill because of the torture. When we found out, we rushed to the madrasa and found him lying on the bed. He had to be hospitalised. Although discharged today (Wednesday), he is still weak,” said Majeda.

On January 15, after admitting her son to the hospital, Majeda filed a complaint with Kotwali police.

The madrasa headmaster said the accused teacher was suspended.

“We had received complaints that cash was being stolen from some students and teachers. The boy was caught red-handed stealing money. However, the teacher should not have assaulted the student. We suspended him,” said Fazle Rahaman, the madrasa headmaster.

Ali couldn’t be contacted. Police said they were probing the case for more details.

Wife held for Malda driver’s murder

Malda: Police cracked the murder case of an e-rickshaw driver in Malda within 24 hours and arrested his wife on Tuesday.

On Monday, driver Sanjay Chouhan, 24, had been attacked by criminals while he was returning home. He was taken to hospital and pronounced dead.

Chouhan's wife Priyanka filed a complaint at Englishbazae police station, alleging that her husband had been murdered.

The police started the probe and found out that Priyanka hadn't taken her husband to the hospital immediately.

“He was taken to the hospital at least 18 hours after his unnatural death. When we interrogated her, she admitted that she, along with another person, was involved in the murder. The wife was arrested. We are in search of the man who helped her,” said a senior police officer.

Malda police have also nabbed Ujjwal Mandal for allegedly stabbing a schoolgirl on Tuesday. He had attacked the girl while she was returning from school.