Rape of July martyr’s daughter: Two get 13 years, one 10 years in jail

A Patuakhali court has sentenced two of the three accused to 13 years’ imprisonment and another to 10 years’ imprisonment without labour in the much-discussed Lamia rape case — the daughter of July martyr Jasim Uddin.

Judge Nilufar Shirin of the Patuakhali Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal delivered the verdict on Wednesday (October 22) morning.

According to the verdict, the convicts were minors at the time of the incident. Therefore, they were given the maximum punishment permitted under the Children Act.

Court sources said that on the evening of March 18, 2025, Lamia (18), daughter of martyr Jasim Uddin of Naldoani village in Pangashia Union of Dumki upazila, was gang-raped while on her way to her maternal grandparents’ house. Following the incident, she filed a case herself with Dumki Police Station against three individuals. After investigation, police submitted a charge sheet against all three accused.

Unable to bear the psychological trauma of the rape, Lamia died by suicide on April 26 the same year at a rented house in Dhaka’s Shekhertek area. Her body was later taken to her native village and buried beside her martyr father’s grave.

After a long process of testimony, cross-examination, and arguments, the court delivered the verdict today.

Public Prosecutor (PP) Advocate Abdullah Al Noman said, “We have been able to prove the case beyond a shadow of doubt. The justice delivered by the court will bring some consolation to Lamia’s soul.”

District BNP General Secretary and lawyer of the District Judge’s Court Advocate Mojibur Rahman Toton said, “This verdict sends a strong message to society — that no matter how influential one may be, a criminal will be punished.”

Meanwhile, defence lawyer Md. Shahidul Islam Talukder said, “My clients are innocent. We are not satisfied with the verdict. After receiving the copy of the judgment, we will appeal to the higher court.”