Ashraful Islam Joy:

A court in Sirajganj on Monday sentenced a woman to 14 years imprisonment on charge of stealing a newborn baby.

The court also fined her Tk 50,000, in default; she will have to serve two more months in Jail.

The convict is Alpana Khatun, 27, wife of Saddam Hossain of Chardogachhi village in Kamarkhanda upazila of Sirajganj district.

Begum Salma Khatun, Judge of Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-2 delivered the verdict, said Masudur Rahman, PP of the court.

The court also acquitted four persons as the allegation brought against them could not be proved.

According to the prosecution brief, Sabita Khatun, wife of Mazed Ali of Naogaon village in Tarash upazila of the district got admitted to Sakhawat Memorial Hospital at Hatikumrul Intersection (locally called Sirajganj Road) on February 26, 2021, along with labour pain.

The next day, on the morning of February 27, Sabita Khatun gave birth to a son through a Caesarean section. In the afternoon, Alpana Khatun stole the child from the hospital. The incident was reported to the police. Solonga Thana police conducted raids at various places to rescue the child. At night, the police rescued the child from the house of Solaiman Hossain in Alokdiar village of Kamarkhand upazila. At that time, the police arrested Alpana Khatun, Chhairan Bewa, Mina Khatun, Maya Khatun and her husband Rabiul Islam.

The child’s father Mazed Ali filed a case with Solonga Police Station in this connection.