5 to die for gang-rape in Netrakona

NETRAKONA, Feb 25 (UNB): A tribunal sentenced Wednesday five people, including two siblings, to death for gang-raping a teenage girl here in 2002.

The condemned convicts are Shamim (34), son of Shamser Ali, Bikon (28) and Tikon (25), sons of Mansur Rangdi, Taposh (30), son of Narendra Shyama of Kalbhoer village and Rup Mia (32), son of Yunus Ali of Budhi village under Purbadhala Upazila.

The court also fined them Tk 25,000 each. Among the convicts, Rup Mia was tried in absentia.

According to the prosecution, the condemned convicts gang-raped the girl, aged about 15, while she was going to Satmati village with her brother-in-law near Kumarkhali bridge under Purbadhala Upazila of the district on July 20, 2002.

The victim's family filed a case against them the following day. After examining the records and witnesses, District Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge AKM Abul Kashem pronounced the verdict acquitting one, Ekhlas, as allegation brought against him could not be proved.