Death Penalty for Tea Stall Owner in Ramgarh Child Rape Case

A special tribunal in Khagrachhari has sentenced a man to death for raping a seven-year-old girl in the Ramgarh upazila. The verdict concludes a highly publicised legal battle that has gripped the local community for nearly a year.

Shaila Sharmin, the presiding judge of the Khagrachhari Prevention of Violence Against Children Tribunal, delivered the judgement during a packed court session on Monday afternoon. The convict, Md Shahin, a local tea stall owner, was present in the dock when the sentence was pronounced. Following the verdict, security was heightened around the court premises as police escorted him back to prison to await the execution of his sentence.

Background of the Case

The incident dates back to 25 July last year, in a rural neighbourhood of Ramgarh. The victim, a second-grade student at a local madrasa, was targeted by Shahin, who operated a small tea shop in the vicinity. According to court records, the accused used his familiarity with the child to lure her to an isolated spot where the assault took place.

When the traumatised child returned home and her physical condition deteriorated, she confided in her family. The news sparked immediate outrage across the sub-district, leading to demands for swift police action. The victim’s father filed a formal complaint under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act at the Ramgarh Police Station. Recognising the sensitivity of the crime, law enforcement officials launched an immediate operation, arresting Shahin shortly after the case was registered.

Swift Judiciary and Legal Arguments

The investigation was completed within weeks, allowing the prosecution to submit a comprehensive charge sheet to the tribunal. Throughout the trial, the court heard testimonies from medical experts, investigating officers, and eyewitnesses who established the timeline of the crime.

Srijoni Tripura, the Public Prosecutor representing the state, expressed immense satisfaction with the efficiency of the trial. Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, she emphasised how crucial timely justice is for vulnerable victims:

“We are immensely satisfied that the court has delivered its verdict within a year of the harrowing incident. This swift resolution restores public confidence in the judiciary, ensures true justice for the grieving family, and serves as a stern warning against such heinous crimes.”

Conversely, the defence team voiced strong dissatisfaction with the tribunal’s findings. Advocate Bedarul Islam, representing the convict, argued that the trial had overlooked certain procedural flaws and failed to ensure a fair assessment for his client. He confirmed that the defence intends to lodge an appeal against the capital punishment order in the High Court Division as soon as the full certified copy of the verdict is made available.