Lifelong imprisonment for prime accused in Nun rape case

The City Sessions Court, Kolkata on Wednesday pronounced the quantum of punishment in the 71 year old Nun rape and dacoity case.

The prime accused Nazrul Islam alias Noju of Bangladesh who was found guilt of committing rape, dacoity and criminal conspiracy was sentenced to imprisonment for life and a fine of Rs. 50,000/-

The 5 others who were found guilty of dacoity and criminal conspiracy were sentenced to 10 years of Rigorous Imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 20,000/- each. Another accused is still on the run. Judge Kumkum Singha had pronounced all 6 guilty on Tuesday.

On March 14, 2015, a 71 year old Nun was raped and dacoity committed in the Convent of Mary and Jesus High School in Ranaghat in the border district of Nadia in West Bengal. Nadia district shares an international border with Bangladesh. The case had been handed over to the CID. Interestingly the CBI had been approached to investigate the case but had refused.

In May 2016, the trial was shifted from a Ranaghat Court to the Kolkata Sessions Court by the Calcutta High Court on a petition by the victim. Ranaghat is 78 km away from the State capital Kolkata.

The nun, who had relocated to Delhi had expressed concerns regarding her safety as the accused had strong connections in Ranaghat. She had then prayed for the transfer of the case to Kolkata.

The prime accused Nazrul Islam alias Noju had been picked up by the police from the Sealdah Railway Station in Kolkata on June 17, 2015.

The victim had identified Islam from among a group of 10 persons in a test identification parade. The Court on Tuesday had found all six guilty. While Islam was found guilty of rape and robbery; Milan Kumar Sarkar, Ohidul Islam, Selim Sheikh and Khaledar Rahman, all from Bangladesh were found guilty of dacoity.

Gopal Sarkar, a resident of North 24 Pargana district was found guilty of criminal conspiracy. Gopal Sarkar has been found guilty of harbouring the 5 Bangladeshis in his house where the dacoity plot had been hatched. Footages of 6 CCTV cameras had been examined along with 42 witnesses. Cases are pending against the 5 Bangladeshis under Foreigners' Act before another court.

OneIndia News