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A court in Bakshiganj, Jamalpur, has sentenced seven accused to death in a case involving the gang-rape of a housewife. Each convict has also been fined one lakh taka. Additionally, one accused in the case was acquitted.
Justice Muhammad Abdur Rahim of Jamalpur Women and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal-1 announced the verdict at 3 PM on Monday (July 6).
Those sentenced to death are Md. Rashedur Rahman alias Pappu (30), Md. Biju Miah (36), Md. Badsha Miah (35), Md. Jewel Miah (35), Md. Ashraful Islam (40), Jasim, and Asmat. The sole acquitted accused is easy-bike driver Idris Ali.
According to court sources, around 12 AM on May 25 last year, the housewife, a resident of Chakpathak village in Sherpur district, was returning to her rented house in Bakshiganj’s Jankipur area from Sherpur’s Jhagrar Char market in an easy-bike driven by Idris Ali. On the way, the accused stopped the easy-bike and forced her into a van.
Later, she was taken to an abandoned kitchen belonging to a person named Farid in Nilakshia Uttarpara area of Bakshiganj Upazila, where she was gang-raped in turns. After the incident, the accused fled from the scene.
The next day, the victim herself filed a case at Bakshiganj Police Station. Six individuals were named in the case, and three to four others were listed as unknown accused.
After the investigation concluded, the investigating officer submitted the charge sheet to the court on April 15 of this year. During the judicial proceedings, seven out of a total of nine witnesses testified. After reviewing the evidence and testimonies, the court delivered this verdict.
Fazlul Haque, the public prosecutor in the case, confirmed the verdict, stating that the convicted accused were present in the courtroom during the pronouncement. He added that it was possible to complete the judicial proceedings and announce the verdict in a short period of time.