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A Lalmonirhat court on Sunday sentenced one man to death and two others to five years in prison for the murder of seven-year-old Nandini Roy in Aditmari upazila.
Lalmonirhat Sessions Judge Md Haidar Ali delivered the verdict, completing the trial in just six working days.
Bidhan Chandra was sentenced to death under Section 302 of the Penal Code and fined Tk20,000. He will serve an additional six months in simple imprisonment if he fails to pay the fine.
The court sentenced Ranjit Kumar Roy and Mamata Rani to five years of rigorous imprisonment and fined each Tk5,000. In default, they will serve an additional three months in simple imprisonment. Their sentences will run concurrently.
According to the judgment, the prosecution proved the murder charge against Bidhan beyond reasonable doubt, while the relevant charges against Ranjit and Mamata were also established.
The court examined statements from 23 witnesses, questioned the accused and heard arguments from both sides before fixing today for the verdict.
The death sentence will require confirmation by the High Court Division under the Code of Criminal Procedure. Bidhan may also appeal against the verdict before the High Court within seven days.
According to police, Nandini went missing on June 15 after leaving home to play. Her body was found the following morning inside a sack in a cornfield near her home.
A case was filed following the recovery of her body, and police later submitted a charge sheet against the accused after completing their investigation.
The incident triggered violence in the area. An angry mob vandalised, looted and set fire to the house of Bidhan’s father, destroying three tin-shed houses and furniture.
A clash also broke out when the mob attempted to snatch Bidhan, who was in police custody. Eighteen police personnel were injured by brickbats, while six vehicles, including those belonging to the district’s SP and DC, were vandalised.
The situation was brought under control after Border Guard Bangladesh personnel were deployed.