A special court in Faridpur has sentenced a 25-year-old man to death for the brutal rape of an eight-year-old primary school student in the Alfadanga sub-district.
The verdict was delivered on Thursday afternoon by Judge Md. Abul Bashar Mia of the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Children Tribunal (District and Sessions Judge). In addition to the capital punishment, the tribunal imposed a fine of Tk 2,00,000 on the convict, identified as Akidul Sheikh, a resident of Nowapara village under Alfadanga Upazila and son of Selim Sheikh. Akidul was present in the dock when the judgment was pronounced, before being escorted to jail under heavy police guard.
The tragic incident occurred when the victim, a third-grade pupil, was intercepted and sexually assaulted whilst on her way to school. Despite sustaining severe injuries, the young girl managed to reach her educational institution in a bleeding condition. Her teachers immediately noticed her acute physical distress and contacted her family without delay. Recognising the severity of her trauma, relatives first took her to the Alfadanga Upazila Health Complex. As her condition rapidly deteriorated, doctors referred her to the Faridpur Medical College Hospital for specialised emergency treatment.
Following the ordeal, the victim’s father lodged a formal rape case against Akidul Sheikh at Alfadanga Police Station on 21 June. Police subsequently launched an investigation, gathered forensic and medical evidence, and submitted a formal charge sheet to the court. After a thorough judicial trial involving the examination of witnesses and a rigorous review of submitted evidence, the tribunal found the accused guilty beyond any reasonable doubt.
Expressing his satisfaction with the verdict, the prosecution counsel, Advocate Golam Rabbani Bhuiyan, noted that the court strongly emphasised the paramount importance of safeguarding children and ensuring swift legal retribution against perpetrators of heinous crimes.
This judgment comes amidst growing national calls across Bangladesh for stricter enforcement of laws protecting women and minors. Special tribunals set up under the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Children Act have increasingly prioritised fast-track hearings to deliver justice swiftly in horrific offences against young victims. Legal experts and civil rights activists frequently highlight that decisive judgments like this play a vital role in restoring public confidence in the judicial process while serving as a powerful deterrent against gender-based violence and child abuse across rural and urban communities alike.
