Bangladesh (Chandpur): Life Imprisonment Handed Down in Child Rape Case

Bangladesh: On July 22, 2026, Judge Md. Rezaul Karim of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal in Chandpur, Bangladesh, sentenced 50-year-old Md. Arun Bhuiyan to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Taka 50,000 for the sexual assault of a 7-year-old girl. The incident took place on July 9, 2021, in Matlab Uttar upazila when the victim was left alone briefly in a field near her home, making her father to lodge a police complaint five days later that led to Bhuiyan’s swift arrest and subsequent charge-sheeting in October 2021; as confirmed by Public Prosecutor Advocate Shirin Sultana Mukta, the tribunal handed down the definitive life sentence after thoroughly examining the witness testimonies, judicial evidence, and the defendant’s confession.  

Action to be Taken: 

To address this case effectively and prevent similar atrocities, authorities must ensure the swift collection and processing of the fine to support the victim, while establishing fast-track judicial procedures under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act to prevent trial delays in child abuse cases. Additionally, local government and law enforcement in upazilas like Matlab Uttar must strengthen community-level child protection committees, simplify reporting mechanisms so families can file complaints without hesitation, and provide comprehensive legal aid, psychological counselling, and rehabilitation services to young survivors and their families.

📰 Source: Bss news (English)