Netrokona court sentences man to death for killing schoolgirl

A Netrokona court today sentenced a stalker to death for the brutal killing of a schoolgirl in the district's Barhatta upazila in 2023.

The convict, Md Kawsar Mia, 20, is the son of Shamsuddin alias Shamsu from Premnagar village in Baushi union of Barhatta upazila, said Public Prosecutor Md Abul Hashem.

Netrokona District and Sessions Judge Md Hafizur Rahman delivered the verdict in the presence of the lone accused, Kawsar, saying the charges had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The court also imposed a fine of Tk 50,000, said the public prosecutor.

According to the prosecution, Kawsar had been persistently harassing a class ten student, Mukti Rani Barman, on her way to and from school.

After the girl told her father, who warned Kawsar's family, the harassment intensified.

On the morning of May 2, 2023, Kawsar attacked the girl from behind with a machete while she was returning home with her classmates.

He struck her multiple times on the head and neck, leaving her critically injured.

She was initially taken to Barhatta Upazila Health Complex and later transferred to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

Despite efforts, she succumbed to her injuries.

Following the incident, a case was filed against Kawsar.

After reviewing the evidence and hearing witnesses, the court handed down the death sentence today.