The rescue of 24 runaway minor children from a madrasa in Tumakuru district, in Karnataka, has led to the registration of an FIR against the institution’s management over allegations of torture, forced labour, and harassment of students.

Based on a complaint filed by Nagabhushan C., an official attached to the District Child Protection Unit and Child Helpline, Kengeri, Bengaluru South, the Tumakuru Rural Police registered a case on May 10 against the madrasa management under provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and child labour laws.

According to the complaint, on April 19, 2026, as many as 24 children escaped from a madrasa, identified as Jamia Arabia Hasaniya Trust, located in Amalapura in Tumakuru taluk. They were later rescued at the KSR Bengaluru Railway Station by Railway Protection Force personnel and volunteers.

The children were subsequently produced before officials of the District Child Protection Unit, and the Child Welfare Committee for counselling and care.

During an interaction with officials on April 23, the children alleged that they had fled the madrasa due to physical assault, harassment, and ill-treatment by staff members. They further alleged that they were being forced to work as labourers in the construction of a building on the madrasa premises.

The complaint stated that the children told authorities they were unwilling to return to the institution, and wanted to go back to their parents and native places.

Following directions from officials and members of the Child Welfare Committee, a formal complaint was lodged seeking legal action against the madrasa management for allegedly subjecting children to cruelty and engaging them in labour work. Students from Bihar — aged between 9 and 17 years — deposed before the welfare committee that they were given worm-infested rice, forced to work as construction labourers inside the madrasa, and were beaten up if they demanded to see their parents.

Initially, a case was registered at the Bengaluru City Railway Police under Sections 75, 79 and 82 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, Section 146 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and Sections 3, 3(A), 14 and 14(1) of the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 and 2016 amendments.

As the alleged offences fall under the jurisdiction of Tumakuru district, the case was transferred to the Tumakuru Rural Police Station for further investigation.