A Dhaka court on Sunday sentenced Rezaul Islam to death for killing seventh-grade student Mahmuda Akter Roxi in Ashulia, Savar, in 2007 after she rejected his marriage proposal.
Judge Md Humayun Kabir of the 3rd Additional District and Sessions Judge’s Court in Dhaka delivered the verdict. The court also directed the relevant police superintendent to take measures to arrest the fugitive convict and enforce the sentence.
Bench assistant Md Aminur Rahman confirmed the matter.
According to the case details and court sources, Rezaul proposed marriage to Roxi, a fatherless orphan student from Ashulia, on March 28, 2007. After she rejected the proposal, Rezaul allegedly threatened and intimidated her.
On the morning of April 2, 2007, Rezaul entered Roxi’s room and repeatedly struck her on the head with a spade. The attack fractured her skull into 3 pieces and exposed her brain.
Roxi was rescued in critical condition and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where she died that night while undergoing treatment.
Following the incident, Roxi’s maternal cousin Nurul Islam Babu filed a murder case with Ashulia police station.
After completing the investigation, Ashulia Police Station Sub-Inspector Alim Uddin submitted a charge sheet to the court on July 4, 2007, naming Rezaul Islam as the sole accused.
On March 4, 2008, the court framed charges against Rezaul and ordered the trial to begin.
During the trial, the court recorded testimony from 12 witnesses, including the complainant, the doctor who conducted the autopsy, the magistrate who recorded the accused’s confessional statement, the investigating officer and local eyewitnesses.
After reviewing the evidence and testimony, the court found the charges against Rezaul proved beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced him to death.
Rezaul has been absconding after obtaining bail and failing to appear before the court. The court directed the relevant police superintendent to take necessary measures to arrest him and enforce the sentence.
