A Netrakona court on Wednesday sentenced a man to life imprisonment for the rape of a widow in Barhatta upazila 13 years ago, a crime that resulted in birth of a daughter whose paternity was also legally established by the verdict.
Judge AKM Emdadul Haque of the Netrakona District Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal delivered the judgement.
The convict, identified as Md Helal from Swalpadoshal village in Barhatta upazila, was also fined Tk1 lakh. In default of payment, he will have to serve an additional year of rigorous imprisonment.
According to court sources, Helal raped a widow from the same locality on 1 March 2013. The victim subsequently became pregnant and later gave birth to a baby girl.
Following the incident, the victim’s sister, Shohorbanu, filed a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act at Barhatta Police Station on 10 March 2013. Upon completion of the investigation, the police submitted a charge sheet to the court.
During the judicial proceedings, the court examined the testimonies of eight witnesses and other relevant evidence. Based on these and a DNA test report, the court confirmed that the accused is biological father of the child born as a result of the rape.
In its verdict, the court officially recognised the child’s paternity and sentenced Helal to life imprisonment and the aforementioned fine. Advocate Nurul Kabir Rubel represented the state, while Advocate Manabendra Bikash Ujjwal conducted the case on behalf of the defendant.
