In a sensational case filed over the rape of an eight-year-old child in Halishahar, Chattogram city, the court has sentenced a 61-year-old man named Md. Mojibor Mridha to life imprisonment. In addition to this exemplary verdict, he has also been fined BDT 50,000. Judge Syeda Hafsa Jhuma of the Chattogram Metropolitan Child Violence Prevention Tribunal pronounced this verdict on Sunday (September 13, 2026). However, the convicted accused Mojibor Mridha was not present in court during the pronouncement of the verdict, which led to the issuance of an arrest warrant against him.
The Tribunal's Public Prosecutor (PP) Advocate Mahmud Ul Alam Chowdhury Maruf informed the media that, based on the testimonies of five witnesses and the evidence presented in this child rape case, the allegations against the accused have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Based on this evidence, the court decided to sentence Md. Mojibor Mridha to life imprisonment and fine him BDT 50,000. The convicted Mojibor Mridha is known as the son of the late Kader Mridha from the Diatoli area of Bakerganj Upazila, Barishal.
According to the case documents, this tragic incident occurred on the morning of December 7, 2015. On that day, the eight-year-old child's mother left her at a neighboring house to go to work as a domestic helper. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the accused Mojibor Mridha lured the child with chocolate, took her to a nearby house, and raped her. When this barbaric incident later became known, it caused intense outrage in the area, and the child's family took legal action in hopes of justice.
After the rape came to light, the child's family members immediately took her to Chattogram Medical College (CMC) Hospital for treatment. After providing necessary treatment there, the child's mother filed a rape case as the plaintiff at Halishahar Police Station in Chattogram city on December 10, 2015. This case subsequently proceeded through legal processes, paving the way for the accused to be brought to justice.
After the case was filed, Sub-Inspector (SI) Zamir Uddin of Halishahar Police Station was assigned the responsibility of investigation. After a long and thorough investigation, he submitted the charge sheet to the court on March 13, 2016. Following the submission of the charge sheet, charges were framed against the accused in the Tribunal, and the judicial proceedings of the case began. Throughout this lengthy judicial process, the court reviewed all relevant evidence and testimonies.
At the end of the long judicial process, based on the testimonies of five witnesses and all the evidence presented, the allegations brought against the accused were proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Based on this specific evidence, the court pronounced this landmark verdict on Sunday. This verdict carries a clear message against heinous crimes like child rape in society and sets an example of severe punishment for offenders.
This court verdict reflects the judiciary's strong commitment to child protection. It is not merely about punishing a single offender but is expected to serve as a powerful deterrent against crimes committed against children in society. Such verdicts are expected to discourage individuals contemplating similar crimes in the future and contribute to creating a safer environment for children.
Although the accused was not present in court during the pronouncement of the verdict, justice will be fully established through the execution of the arrest warrant issued against him. This verdict ensures justice for the wrong committed against the eight-year-old child and is considered an important step in establishing the rule of law.
