Rape Convict Sentenced to Death Penalty by Siliguri Court

Siliguri: A Siliguri court on Saturday sentenced MD Abbas to death penalty for the rape and murder of a minor girl last year. The Additional District and Sessions Judge, Anita Mehrotra Mathur, delivered the verdict, concluding the case within 13 months of the brutal crime.

The court heard testimony from 33 witnesses before arriving at the final judgment. Special Public Prosecutor Bivas Chatterjee explained the prosecution’s case.

Siliguri Court Awarded Death Penalty to Rape Convict

He said, 'During the last hearing, we argued for the death penalty because some of the sections involved carry the maximum possible punishment. I spent an hour and a half presenting our case, emphasizing that this should be considered one of the rarest of rare cases.'"

MD Abbas was sentenced to death under two sections, one is Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to murder, and Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which deals with aggravated sexual assault on minors informed Public Prosecutor. 

Chatterjee said, ‘’The death sentence was awarded under two consecutive sections: Section 302, which pertains to murder, and Section 6 of the POCSO Act.''

Girl Raped, murdered a Year ago, Gets Justice 

The incident occurred on August 21, 2023, when the minor girl was on her way to school, and she was raped and murdered in an abandoned area under the jurisdiction of Matigara Police Station in Siliguri. Following the crime, the Matigara police quickly launched an investigation and arrested MD Abbas within six hours.

The court's ruling brings some closure to the case, with the Special Public Prosecutor stating that the sentencing reflects the severity of the crime.

(With Inputs from ANI)