Post-poll case: Retd teacher gets life for child’s rape

Malda: A on Friday sentenced a retired school teacher to life for the rape of a Class 4 student on June 5, 2021.HC had on Aug 19, 2021, ordered CBI's special crime branch to investigate this case as part of 55 post-poll violence cases after the 2021 Bengal assembly elections.The central agency, in a statement, this was the first conviction in a case of post-poll violence in Bengal.Malda additional and sessions judge Rajib Saha, who on Wednesday convicted Rafikul Islam, also a Trinamool worker, announced the sentence on Friday. Islam was convicted for aggravated sexual assault under section 6 of the Pocso Act as well as IPC sections 376A and B.CBI investigators said Islam spotted the child playing with her cousin in a mango orchard in Manickchak and lured her with money.Amitava Maitra, CBI's special public prosecutor, said: "CBI took charge of 55 cases following the High Court's order. This is the first one in which a sentence was given." The court also asked state govt to give the girl's family Rs 3 lakh as compensation.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Dhanteras wishes, messages and shubh muhurat !