NOAKHALI, July 6, (v7n) – A court in Noakhali today sentenced an accused to death for the rape and murder of a minor girl, also imposing a fine of Taka one lakh.
Judge Farzana Akhter of the Women and Children’s Repression Prevention Tribunal of the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court handed down the verdict, convicting Shahdat (26), the lone accused in the case.
The victim, Asma, was the five-year-old daughter of Maulana Shahjahan of Mridhabari in Megha village, under Badalcot union of Noakhali sadar upazila. She went missing on March 24, 2022, and her body was recovered from a septic tank behind their home nine days later. Police arrested Shahdat from the village on the same day.
According to police, Shahdat later confessed in court to raping the girl, strangulating her, and dumping her body in the tank. His confessional statement was recorded by a first-class magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
The case sparked widespread outrage across the district, with locals demanding exemplary punishment through a speedy trial.
Advocate Selim Shahi, Public Prosecutor of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Court, expressed satisfaction with the verdict, saying it would help ensure justice in society.
