5 get death sentence for gang-rape in Tangail

A Tangail court this morning sentenced five people to death for gang-raping a madrasa student in 2012.

Tangail's Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Khaleda Yasmin passed the verdict, reports our local correspondent.

The convicts are: Sagar Chandra Sheel, Sujan Moni Rishi, Rajan Chandra, Sanjit and Gopi Chandra Sheel.

Of the five, Sanjit and Gopi Chandra Sheel are behind bars while the rest remain absconding following a High Court bail.

The verdict was given as per the sections 9(3)/30 of Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, said AKM Nasimul Aktar, special public prosecutor of the court.

The convicts have also been fined one lakh taka each, the PP said.

In 2012, the madrasa student from Chhabbisha village of Bhuapur upazila got acquainted with Sagar Chandra Sheel over phone. On January 15 of the same year, Sagar got her into a CNG-run autorickshaw while she was on her way to the madrasa and took her to his friend Rajan's house in Madhupur upazila.

Sagar and Rajan tried to convince her to marry Sagar. As she refused, Sagar raped her.

Later, they took her to the bank of Bangshai river where all five convicts raped her again, the PP said.

They left the girl there. Next morning, her family members found and rescued her with the help of locals.

The girl filed a case, accusing the five in this regard, on January 18. Police held Sujan and he gave confessional statement on January 19.

Police submitted charge sheet against the five accused and the trial began on October 29, 2015, the public prosecutor added.