Dhaka: A tribunal in Sylhet has sentenced Zakir Hossain to death for the murder of 4-year-old Fahima Akter following an attempt to rape. Judge Abu Obaida of the Sylhet Women and Children Repression Tribunal delivered the verdict, which also included a fine of Tk 5 lakh.

According to United News of Bangladesh, the incident unfolded when Fahima, the daughter of Raisul Haque from Sonatala village, went missing on May 6. Her body was discovered two days later near a water body. Authorities recovered her remains and sent them to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College and Hospital for an autopsy.

Following an investigation, police arrested Zakir Hossain on May 11. He confessed to the crime under Section 164 in court. On May 12, during a press briefing, police revealed that Zakir had lured Fahima to his house under the pretense of buying a cigarette. He attempted to assault her, and when she lost consciousness, he strangled her. Zakir then hid her body in a briefcase at his home before discarding it near the water body on May 8.

The police investigation led to the recovery of crucial evidence, including a bed sheet and a briefcase from Zakir’s house. The chargesheet implicated Zakir and two of his brothers, but the court found insufficient evidence against the latter, resulting in their acquittal.