Historic verdict: Child rapist gets death sentence in record 29 working days

In a landmark ruling in the country's judicial history, a court in Meherpur has sentenced a young man to death by hanging for the rape of a nine-year-old child. The court also imposed a fine of Tk 3 lakh on the convict, Shakil Hossain, 23, son of Abdal Hasan of Chandpur village in Gangni upazila.

The verdict was delivered by Judge Md Tajul Islam of the Meherpur Women and Children Repression Prevention and Child Violence Suppression Tribunal on Sunday, May 24. The accused was present in court when the verdict was announced.

This is the first time in the country's history that the trial was completed in just 29 working days through both in-person and virtual hearings.

After the charge sheet was submitted, the court recorded the testimony and cross-examination of 12 witnesses within 29 working days. To ensure the swiftest possible justice, virtual video calls were used for testimony for the first time. Based on lengthy hearings and medical reports, the court found the allegations proven beyond doubt and delivered this exemplary punishment.

The court also ordered that the Tk 3 lakh fine be recovered by auctioning the convict's movable and immovable property and paid to the victim's family.

State prosecutor Mustafizur Rahman Tuhin confirmed the verdict. The accused was represented by Advocate Maruf Ahmed Bijan.

According to the case, the fifth-grade child was taking lunch to her father in a field on June 16, 2025, when Shakil Hossain threatened her with a sharp weapon and took her to a nearby jute field where he raped her. The attacker fled when locals rushed to the child's screams.

Villagers caught and beat Shakil after the child returned home and told her family. Police rescued him from the angry mob and arrested him. The child's father filed a rape case at Gangni Police Station.

The victim's family has expressed deep satisfaction with the historic verdict. However, the convict's lawyer said they would appeal the verdict in a higher court.