A court in Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila has announced its verdict in a controversial child gang rape case that took place nearly 15 years ago. Three accused have been sentenced to life imprisonment and three others to life imprisonment. The court has also ordered the District Commissioner to auction the properties of the convicts to ensure compensation to the victims.
Ali Mansur, Judge (District and Sessions Judge) of the Thakurgaon Child Violence Prevention Tribunal, announced the verdict on Sunday (July 19).
Those sentenced to life imprisonment are: Md. Anis Rana (35), son of Yunus Kassai of Goalpara in Thakurgaon Municipality, Saiful Islam (40), son of Mairuddin of Muslimnagar area, and Md. Dulal (48), son of Vot Kassai.
Those sentenced to life imprisonment are Md. Anisur (29), son of Md. Selim, Md. Khatibur Khatu (32), son of Bangru Mohammad, and Md. Lalu (26), son of Bazlu, of Muslimnagar area of ​​Thakurgaon municipality.
According to the court verdict, Md. Anis Rana, Md. Saiful Islam and Md. Dulal have been sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine of two lakh taka each under Section 9(3) of the Prevention of Violence against Women and Children Act, 2000 (Amendment-2003).
On the other hand, Md. Anisur, Md. Khatibur Khatu and Md. Lalu have been sentenced to life imprisonment under Section 9(3)/30 of the same Act, a fine of one lakh taka each and in default of payment, another one year of rigorous imprisonment.
According to the case report, on the afternoon of October 21, 2011, a 14-year-old girl was on her way back from her friend’s house when some young men picked her up from behind the Enamul petrol pump on the Thakurgaon-Panchagarh highway. Later, they called some more men on their mobile phones and threatened them and raped her in turn. At that time, the other accused assisted in the rape.
Hearing the victim’s screams, a local businessman came forward and the accused fled with her clothes. Later, with the help of locals, she returned home and informed her family members about the incident. When her physical condition deteriorated, she was admitted to Thakurgaon Modern Sadar Hospital. As the victim’s father was not at home at the time of the incident, he returned a few days later, verified the truth of the incident and filed a case with Thakurgaon Sadar Police Station on October 25, 2011. After a long investigation, taking of testimonies and judicial proceedings, the verdict in the case was announced today, almost 15 years after the incident.
At the time of the verdict, the accused Md. Anis Rana, who was sentenced to life imprisonment, was absconding. The court has ordered the issuance of an arrest warrant along with a sentence warrant against him. His sentence will be effective from the day he surrenders or is arrested.
On the other hand, the convicted defendants present in the court have been ordered to be sent to prison to serve their sentences.
After the verdict, the state’s Special Public Prosecutor (Special PP) Advocate Md. Badiuzzaman Chowdhury Badal told Asia Post, “This verdict has been fair. After a long judicial process, the victim has received justice. This verdict will be an important example against heinous crimes like child and women abuse.”
