A tribunal in Dhaka on Tuesday sentenced a 56-year-old man to death for raping his 13-year-old stepdaughter in the capital’s Kamrangirchar area, which resulted in her pregnancy.

Judge Masrur Salekin of the Dhaka Children Violence Suppression Tribunal delivered the verdict and fined the convict, Jamal Hossain, Tk 5 lakh.

In its observations, the tribunal said Jamal had subjected the girl to brutal abuse and described the offence as a “heinous crime”.

Citing a decision of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, the tribunal said imposing appropriate punishment was necessary for such an offence, which it said was committed not only against the victim but also against society.

It said determining appropriate punishment for a heinous crime was a judicial duty, awarding the maximum penalty.

The tribunal also directed the authorities concerned to auction the convict’s movable or immovable property to recover the fine if he fails to pay it.

The proceeds will be given to the victim or her legal heirs as compensation.

According to the prosecution, the girl, a seventh-grade student, lived with her mother and stepfather Jamal in Kamrangirchar. Jamal raped her multiple times when her mother was away.

She subsequently became pregnant and gave birth to a child.

The girl’s mother filed the case with Kamrangirchar Police Station on August 28, 2023, over the incident.

Sub-Inspector Mohammad Ali Hossain, also the investigating officer of the case, submitted a charge sheet against Jamal to the court on January 23, 2025.

The tribunal framed charges against the accused on August 24 last year.

During the trial, the tribunal recorded the statements of eight witnesses.