Rape case convict weds victim at Rajshahi jail-gate 

A convict, in Rajshahi Central Jail since being sentenced in 2011 to a life term for rape, married the victim at the jail-gate on Saturday.

Senior prison officials and members of both families, including the nine-year-old boy of the couple, were present on the occasion. 

Subrata Kumar Bala, superintendent of Rajshahi Central Jail, officiated the marriage, as per order of the court. 

The bride and some 14 members of both families reached the jail gate at around 11am, and all the Hindu marriage rites were completed by 12 noon. On behalf of the jail authorities, the superintendent presented a katan saree to the bride. 

The incident was appreciated by people from different walks of life. 

Subrata Kumar Bala was not aware of a marriage ceremony ever taking place at the jail gate. He assumed this was the first of its kind. 

"We have made the necessary arrangements to complete all the religious rites. A report of the marriage will soon be sent to the court," Subrata said.

According to the case statement, the convict had been in a relationship with a 14-year-old girl of Godagari upazila in Rajshahi. However, he refused to marry her after learning that she had conceived.

She filed a case with Godagari Police Station on 25 October 2011, accusing him of rape. 

After reviewing the charges, a judge of Rajshahi Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal sentenced him to life imprisonment on 29 January 2012 and imposed a fine of Tk50,000. 

The convict recently failed a bail petition with the High Court. During a hearing of the petition on October 22, the convict's lawyer informed the court that his client and the victim had decided to get married. 
The court then ordered the jail authorities to arrange a marriage ceremony at the jail gate.