Latest news with #RafikulIslam
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Malda court convicts rape accused for first conviction in West Bengal post-poll violence
A special court in Malda has convicted an individual accused for the rape of a nine-year-old girl, marking the first conviction in the post-poll violence cases of West Bengal investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), said a statement from the agency. The trial of the case was conducted by Amitava Maitra, Special Public Prosecutor of CBI.(Representational) The Calcutta High Court, in its order dated August 19, 2021 had handed over the cases of murder and crimes against women, specifically rape or attempt to rape during the post poll violence, to the CBI for investigation. One such case pertaining to the rape of a minor girl aged around 9 years was registered by CBI. Investigation conducted had revealed that the victim minor girl was raped by a retired government school teacher, Rafikul Islam alias Bhelu in Malda. The accused lured the victim, who was playing in a mango orchard, with money and raped her on the evening of June 4, 2021. The incident of rape was witnessed by the cousin of the victim who is also a minor girl aged around 10 years. Both the victim and the eye witness deposed strongly about the incident of rape before the trial court. On July 2, the Learned Additional District and Sessions Judge, 2nd (POCSO Court), Malda, West Bengal, after a thorough trial, found the accused, Rafikul Islam guilty of the offence under sections of POCSO Act and IPC for committing rape on a minor girl. This is the first post-poll violence case in which the trial has concluded and the same has resulted in conviction. The sentence is likely to be pronounced on July 4. The trial of the case was conducted by Amitava Maitra, Special Public Prosecutor of CBI. Following the declaration of 2021 West Bengal Assembly results on May 2, 2021, severe violence erupted in different parts of the state and a number of cases of murder, rape and attempt to rape were reported, leading to filing of several writ petitions in the Calcutta High Court. Cognizance of these violent acts was also taken by Human Rights Commission. After taking over the post-poll violence cases, the CBI had constituted special teams for investigation by drawing officers and also appointed special counsels for expeditious trials.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Retd teacher convicted of 9-yr-old's rape
Kolkata: A retired govt school teacher was convicted of raping a nine-year-old girl by a Malda court on Wednesday. Rafikul Islam, also known as Bhelu, was convicted under section 6 of the Pocso Act and Section 376AB of the IPC by the additional district & sessions judge (2nd Pocso court) in Malda. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The sentencing will be on July 4. The Calcutta High Court on Aug 19, 2021, had ordered the CBI's Special Crime Branch to investigate this case as part of post-poll violence incidents following the 2021 assembly election. CBI investigators said that on June 4, 2021, Rafikul lured the victim with money while she was playing in a mango orchard at Manickchak in Malda district. The girl's 10-year-old cousin witnessed the crime, and both minors testified during the trial. "Both the survivor and the eyewitness provided compelling testimony about the incident before the trial court," said Amitava Maitra, CBI's special public prosecutor.
News18
2 days ago
- News18
First Conviction in West Bengal 2021 Post-Poll Violence: Man Found Guilty of Raping Minor
Last Updated: A court found Rafikul Islam guilty of raping a nine-year-old girl in the evening of June 4, 2021, amid widespread violence following West Bengal Assembly elections. A man was found guilty of raping a nine-year-old girl on Wednesday in what is the first conviction in the post-poll violence that rocked West Bengal after the 2021 Assembly elections. After the elections, violence erupted in different parts of the state and a number of murder, rape and attempt to rape cases were reported, leading to several writ petitions in the Calcutta High Court. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was in charge of the investigation. One case pertained to the rape of a nine-year-old girl in Malda district of West Bengal. As per the investigation by the CBI, the girl was raped by the accused identified as Rafikul Islam in the evening of June 4, 2021, while she was playing in the mango orchard of the accused, by alluring her with money. The incident was witnessed by the victim's cousin, who was 10 years old at the time. As per the CBI, both the victim and the eyewitness gave strong and detailed testimonies about the crime before the trial court. Based on the report of the Human Rights Commission as well as the arguments in court, a five-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court had earlier directed that the cases of murder and crimes against women, specially rape or attempt to rape, shall be referred to the CBI for investigation. After a lengthy trial, the Additional District and Sessions Judge of the POCSO court in Malda on Wednesday (July 2) found the accused guilty of raping the minor girl below 12 years of age under relevant sections of the POCSO Act and the Indian Penal Code. This was the first case of post-poll violence in West Bengal in which the trial was concluded and a conviction was made. A sentence for Rafikul Islam is likely to be pronounced on July 4, according to the CBI. In a separate case, the CBI last week arrested the prime suspect in the murder of BJP activist Abhijit Sarkar during the Bengal post-poll violence. Arun Dey, known to be close to Trinamool Congress (TMC) had been absconding for four years since Sarkar was allegedly killed by a mob. First Published: July 02, 2025, 20:24 IST
