Islamic Boarding School Leader in Garut Allegedly Arrested for Molesting Students

Following reports from detikJabar on Monday (18/5/2026), several netizens shared videos depicting a crowd storming the residence of an Islamic boarding school leader on Saturday night (16/5). The footage shows the moment the suspect was escorted away by the police.

Aditya Kosasih, the legal counsel for the victim, stated that the case came to light after the victim confided in the parent of a fellow student at the boarding school. This information was subsequently relayed to the victim’s parents, who then filed a formal police report accompanied by Kosasih.

“We have filed an official report with the police. The victim initially told a friend’s parent that they had been expelled. After further discussion, the victim finally disclosed the alleged inappropriate treatment they had experienced,” explained the lawyer from LBH DPC PDI Perjuatan Garut.

Head of Criminal Investigation at Garut Police, AKP Joko Prihatin, confirmed that the station had received the report from the family on Saturday afternoon.

“The report arrived at around 1 pm,” said Joko.

News of the alleged molestation by the boarding school leader spread rapidly among the local community residing near the pesantren in Samarang, Garut. The news caused widespread anxiety, leading to tensions as an angry mob converged on the suspect’s home.

“Vigilante justice against the victim was avoided. Due to the situation, the Samarang Police sector took action to secure the individual and immediately transported them to the Garut Police headquarters,” added Joko.