Tutor sentenced to death for raping 7-year-old

A Dhaka tribunal today sentenced Md Zahidul Islam, a tutor, to death for raping his seven-year-old student in Dhaka's Banasree in 2021.

Judge Roksana Begum Happy of Women & Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-3 of Dhaka handed down the sentence in the presence of the accused in the courtroom.

The judge said the prosecution was able to prove without doubt the charges brought against Zahidul of raping the victim.

Earlier, the prosecution and the defence completed their arguments and the tribunal recorded statements of 10 prosecution witnesses, including the plaintiff of the case.

According to the case statement, it was alleged that on March 23, 2021, Zahidul Islam went to the victim's house. At around 8:30 pm, when the victim's parents were working at a garage adjacent to their house, they saw Zahidul suddenly rush out. Afterwards, they went home and heard their child crying.

The victim told the parents about the rape. Following this, the victim's father filed a case against Zahidul.

Police later arrested the accused and on July 24, 2021 submitted a charge sheet against him.

On January 20, 2022, the court framed charges against the accused.