Couple gets life for murdering housemaid in Rangpur

A court in Rangpur on Sunday sentenced a retired assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of police and his wife to life term rigorous imprisonment for murdering their housemaid after rape about 15 years back.

Judge of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal of Rangpur Zabed Hussaine pronounced the verdict in presence of the convicts at the jam-packed courtroom this noon.

"The court also sentenced the couple to 15-year jail term with labour under another section of the case and they will undergo the imprisonments simultaneously," said Special Public Prosecutor (PP) of the tribunal Advocate Rafique Hasnine.

The convicts are retired ASI Altab Hossain, 65, and his wife Saleha Begum, 55, of Taluk Rahgu Tampat area under Ward No-33 in the city.

The prosecution says Manjila Khatun, 14, daughter of Majibar Rahman of Taluk Rahgu Tampat area had been working as a domestic servant at the house of retired ASI Altab Hossain in the same area.

Altab Hossain raped Manjila and subsequently, strangled her to death at night on May 24, 2003, reports BSS.

"With a view to divert the rape and murder incidents to another direction, Altab in association with his wife Saleha Begum left the body into a nearby paddy field in the same area on the same night," the Special PP said.

On the next day, Rabeya Khatun, mother of the victim, filed a case in this connection accusing the couple with Kotwali Thana.

After investigation, Kotwali Thana police submitted charge sheet against the retired ASI and his wife before the court when the trial began. "After examining 14 witnesses during hearing of the case, the court found the couple guilty beyond any doubt and handed the verdict today (Sunday) against them taking their ages into consideration," Special PP Advocate Hasnine added.

Special PP of the tribunal Advocate Rafique Hasnine stood for the state while senior lawyer Advocate Abdur Rashid Chowdhury defended the accused side.