'No woman or child is safe with this death row convict': Court says in its verdict over 2017 rape, murder of 7-year-old

A Dhaka court has convicted and sentenced a man to death in a case lodged over raping and murdering his neighbour's seven-year-old daughter in Matuail area in the capital.

The convict is Md Rafikul Islam, 27, son of Abul Kalam of Gopinathpur under Phulchari Police Station of Gaibandha.

Judge Roksana Begum Happy of Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-3 of Dhaka pronounced the judgment in the presence of the convict and sent him back to jail with a conviction warrant. The court also ordered him to pay a Tk50,000 or be sentenced to six more months behind bars, reports BSS.

In observing the verdict, the court said the convict tied the hands and feet of a seven-year-old child, covered her face with a cloth, twisted her neck, and brutally raped and killed her, reports Prothom Alo.

This death row convict has no right to live nor the right to bask in this world's light and air, the court said, adding that no woman or child is safe with him. 

Through this punishment, the tribunal said it wants to set an example and send a message to the society that such brutal crimes against women and children are being tried.

According to the case documents, the victim used to live with her family at their rented house in the Matuail area.

She stepped out to the common washroom beside their home at around 6am on 1 October 2017, and went missing. As her family went searching for her, Rafikul called the victim's father and said the child was with him. 

The victim's family along with other neighbours went to Rafikul's house and found it was locked. They broke the lock and found the victim's body inside with her hands and legs tied with rope. 

The victim's father then filed the case with the Jatrabari Police Station.

The court on 15 May 2019, framed charges against Rafikul. The verdict was granted today after examining 12 out of 16 witnesses on different hearing dates.