Criminals on Thursday morning beat up and seriously wounded a primary schoolteacher for not withdrawing a case filed against them earlier this month, police said.

The victim, Moshiur Rahman, 32, a teacher of Chhoto Kakuria Government Primary School under Chowgachha upazila in Jessore, is undergoing treatment at Chowgachha Upazila Health Complex.

Locals and police said Moshiur was going to buy a goat in the village around 8:30am. When he reached a tea stall, local goons, led by former UP member Ataul Haque, asked him to withdraw the case filed against them on October 5 for assaulting the teacher's niece Hridoy Hossain on September 29.

As Moshiur refused, Muntaj Ali, Shukur Ali, Maznu Hossain, Rostom Ali, Shamim Hossain and Shamsur Rahman allegedly tied him to a nearby tree and beat up him indiscriminately.

Former UP member and Swarup Daa union Awami League President Ataul Haque could not be contacted as his cell phone was found switched off.

UP Chairman Anwar Sheikh confirmed the matter.

A case was filed against eight people, including the accused mentioned above, with Chowgachha Police Station.