A tribunal in Netrokona has sentenced madrasa teacher Aman Ullah Mahmudi, 30, to death for raping an 11-year-old girl in the Madan upazila, who subsequently became pregnant. The court also imposed a fine of Tk 1 lakh on the convict. In a landmark directive, the court ordered the state to bear full responsibility for the maintenance, education, and upbringing of the child born from the incident.
Judge Mohammad Abdus Salam, presiding over the Netrokona Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal and District Sessions Judge, delivered the verdict on Wednesday afternoon. The accused was present in the courtroom during the pronouncement.
Co-accused Acquitted
The court acquitted the convict's elder brother, Maimon alias Mamun Mia, as charges of intimidation against him were not proven. Following the verdict, the victim's mother expressed satisfaction, stating that the maximum punishment for the accused was a relief. She also voiced relief over the court's directive regarding the maintenance of her daughter and granddaughter.
Significance of the Ruling
The court's order assigning the state responsibility for the welfare of the child born from the rape has been widely viewed as a significant precedent in such cases. Legal experts and human rights activists have noted that this directive could play a pivotal role in ensuring the future security of children born from sexual violence.
