In a landmark verdict on Wednesday, 11 March, the Jamalpur Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-1 sentenced three men to death for the gang-rape of a housewife, while a fourth accused was acquitted. The ruling was delivered by Judge Md. Abdur Rahim during a hearing held at the tribunal.
The convicted men are identified as Md. Faruk Hossain, Munsur Ali, and Ferdous Hossain. The acquitted individual, Zahidul Islam, son of Jamal Uddin, was found not guilty due to insufficient evidence.
According to court records, the incident occurred on the night of 19 July 2023 in the Mecherchora area of Jamalpur Sadar Upazila. The victim and her husband had visited a local egg stall to collect outstanding payments. During the visit, her husband was tied to a tree, and the victim was forcibly taken by multiple perpetrators and subjected to a gang rape. The following day, the woman lodged a formal complaint at Jamalpur Sadar Police Station.
After recording testimonies from four witnesses, the tribunal delivered its judgment in the absence of the accused. Public Prosecutor Advocate Fazlul Haque confirmed that the charges were upheld under Section 9(3)/7 of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, and the death sentences for the three convicts were formally decreed.
The victim’s family expressed satisfaction with the verdict, describing it as just and fair.
Legal experts have hailed the ruling as a strong message against sexual violence, demonstrating that both law enforcement and the judiciary adhere to a zero-tolerance policy regarding crimes against women and children. The case has attracted widespread attention for its strict enforcement of justice, highlighting the commitment to curbing sexual offences and providing protection to vulnerable citizens.
Convicted Individuals
| Name | Father’s Name | Village | Upazila | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Md. Faruk Hossain | Azizul Haque | Pakulya Madhyapara | Sadar | Jamalpur |
| Munsur Ali | Ali Akbar | Pakulya Madhyapara | Sadar | Jamalpur |
| Ferdous Hossain | Shafiqul Islam | Pakulya Madhyapara | Sadar | Jamalpur |
Acquitted: Zahidul Islam, son of Jamal Uddin, resident of the same area.
Observers say this verdict serves as a deterrent to sexual violence and reinforces the principle that the judicial system will impose the strictest penalties on perpetrators, sending a clear signal to society that crimes against women and children will not be tolerated.