FARIDPUR, July 23, 2026 (BSS) - A court here today sentenced a man to life imprisonment for raping a 9-year-old schoolgirl in Saltha upazila of the district in 2020.

District and Sessions Judge Abul Basar pronounced the verdict in the afternoon in presence of the convict.

The court also fined convict Shawkat Mia, 38, son of Siraj Mia of Baro Bangrail village in Saltha upazila of the district, Taka 1 lakh, in default, to suffer another year of rigorous imprisonment. 

According to prosecution, on May 22, 2020, the 9-year-old child, a 3rd grade student in Baro Bangrail village of Saltha upazila, went to visit their vegetable field near their house. At that time, neighbor Shawkat Mia forcibly picked up the child and took him to a jute field nearby and raped her. 

Seeing the child's bloody and lifeless condition, locals rescued her and quickly admitted to Faridpur Medical College Hospital. The day after the incident, the victim's father filed a rape case with Saltha Police Station, making Shawkat Mia the sole accused. 

After a long judicial process, taking necessary witnesses and hearing arguments, the court delivered this verdict today after a long 6 years, said Advocate Archana Das, the state's lawyer (APP).