A Meherpur court on Sunday sentenced a man to death for raping a 9-year-old girl in Gangni upazila, delivering the verdict in 29 working days — a timeline prosecutors called a national record for a rape case.
Judge Md. Tajul Islam of the Meherpur District Tribunal for the Suppression of Violence Against Children handed down the verdict to Shakil Hossain on Sunday afternoon, May 24. The court also fined him 3 lakh taka, with an additional one year of rigorous imprisonment if the fine is not paid. Shakil is the son of Abdal Haque of Chandpur village in Gangni upazila.
According to the case file, the 9-year-old daughter of Ichanul Haque of Chandpur Dakshinpara village was taking food to her father in the fields on June 16, 2025, when Shakil lured her into a jute field and raped her. Workers in the field heard the girl crying and rushed in, prompting Shakil to flee. Local residents caught him later that afternoon, beat him and handed him over to police. The girl’s father filed a case at Gangni police station under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. Investigators submitted a charge sheet after a preliminary inquiry.
The case was disposed of in 29 working days, with distant witnesses testifying by video link to speed up proceedings. Twelve witnesses gave evidence. The court framed charges under Section 9(1) of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act 2000 (as amended in 2026 and 2003) and found the offense proved beyond reasonable doubt. Public prosecutor Mustafizur Rahman Tuhin appeared for the state. Advocate Maruf Ahmed Bizon represented the defense.
“We are satisfied with the verdict,” public prosecutor Mustafizur Rahman Tuhin said. He claimed it was likely the first time in the country’s history that a rape case had been decided in just 29 working days.
Defense lawyer Maruf Ahmed Bizon said he would appeal the verdict in the higher court.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report