Elderly Man gets life term for raping child in Natore

A court has sentenced an old man named Jalal Uddin, 65, to life imprisonment in a case filed in connection with the rape of a five-year-old child in Natore. At the same time, he has been fined Tk 20,000. In default of payment of the fine, he will have to serve another month of rigorous imprisonment.

Rajshahi Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge Md. Tayyab Ali announced the verdict on Wednesday (June 17). The convicted accused was present in the court when the verdict was announced.

According to the details of the case, in August 2023, a neighbor Jalal Uddin tricked a five-year-old child who was playing in the courtyard of his house in Lakshipur Madhyapara village of Gurudaspur upazila of Natore. Later, it was alleged that he raped the child there.

After the incident, the child's mother filed a case with Gurdaspur Police Station. The case was initially pending in the Natore Women and Child Abuse Prevention Tribunal. The case was later transferred to the Rajshahi Speedy Trial Tribunal for speedy disposal.

After a long hearing, taking testimony and reviewing the evidence presented, the court gave this verdict as the charges against the accused were proven.

After the verdict was announced, the lawyer for the case, Munshi Abul Kalam Azad, expressed satisfaction and said that strict punishment is essential to prevent heinous crimes like child rape.