Gang Rape On Election Day Lead To Death Sentences For 10

In a highly discussed verdict, the Noakhali Women and Children Repression Tribunal-2 has sentenced ten individuals to death and imposed life imprisonment on six others in connection with a gang rape and assault case on the night of the 11th National Parliamentary Election. The incident occurred in the Subarnachar area, where the victim was reportedly raped after being restrained along with her family members.

Judge Fatema Ferdous announced the verdict on Monday at around noon, with 15 accused present in the courtroom, one of whom was sentenced to life imprisonment. The main accused, Mintu alias Helal (28), who was on the run since the incident, was captured recently.

According to court and police sources, on December 30, 2018, the night of the 11th National Parliamentary Election, the victim, a mother of four, was allegedly raped and assaulted by a group of men associated with the Awami League. The incident gained widespread attention both nationally and internationally.

Following the incident, the victim's husband, who had faced ostracism in Subarnachar, filed a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act at Char Jabbar Police Station on December 31. Later, after the investigation concluded, 16 individuals, including local Awami League leaders, were accused in the case.

Public Prosecutor Saleh Ahmad Sohel Khan stated that the prosecution presented 23 witnesses in the case. However, none of the witnesses testified about any coercion or intimidation regarding voting preferences at the polling center.

In response to the verdict, the defense counsel presented five alibi witnesses. However, none of them could confirm the allegations of voter intimidation, as stated by the prosecution.

It's worth mentioning that Mintu alias Helal (28), who was on the run, was the last accused to be apprehended.