Death sentence for rape, rapist ordered to sell land to collect fine

A court in Faridpur has sentenced Nuruddin Molla (57) to death for raping a 13-year-old, physically and mentally disabled girl. At the same time, he has been fined five lakh taka and has been ordered to pay the fine to the rape victim.
Shamima Parveen, judge (district and sessions judge) of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal in Faridpur, gave the order at around 12:30 pm on Monday (July 21). Nuruddin Molla, who was sentenced to death, was present in the court when the verdict was announced. After the verdict was announced, he was sent to the district jail under police guard.
As part of the verdict, the court ordered that the land owned by Nuruddin Molla be sold to collect the fine of five lakh taka and give the money to the rape victim. The Faridpur Deputy Commissioner (District Collector) has been asked to implement this order.
Lawyers say that the court's order will remain as an unprecedented addition to Bangladesh's judicial system.
Nuruddin Molla is a resident of Kosagopalpur village in Kanaipur union of Faridpur Sadar. Nuruddin, son of the deceased Ismail Molla, is the victim's cousin.
On September 23, 2023, the victim's father, mother and brother went to Faridpur city in the afternoon of that day to visit a relative who was undergoing treatment in the hospital. In the evening, when no one was home, Nuruddin Molla entered the house of the disabled girl and raped her. Hearing the girl's screams, people around came running, and Nuruddin fled.
The next day, on September 24, 2023, the girl's father filed a case under the Prevention of Violence against Women and Children Act with Faridpur Kotwali Police Station, making Nuruddin Molla the sole accused.
Shamim Ahmed, Sub-Inspector (SI) of Kotwali Police Station, investigated the case. After a long investigation, he filed a charge sheet in the court on July 31, 2024, where Nuruddin was charged with rape.
Confirming the truth of the verdict, Golam Rabbani, Public Prosecutor (PP) of the Faridpur Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal, said, “This is a historic verdict. Rape is a terrible social disease. This verdict will play a role in reducing rape-related crimes across the country. In addition, the direction to compensate the victims by selling the accused’s land is a new example in our judicial system.”
Due to the 2018 law reform and the recent tightening of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, emphasis is being placed on the speedy disposal of rape cases in the country. This verdict in Faridpur is a real reflection of that process.