A Chattogram court has sentenced a man to life imprisonment and an additional 17 years of rigorous imprisonment for abducting and sexually assaulting his sister-in-law. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday by Judge S M Zillur Rahman of the Chattogram Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-5. The convict, Fazlul Karim, remains absconding after securing bail, prompting the court to issue arrest and sentence warrants against him.

According to the prosecution, the charges were proven beyond doubt through testimonies from five witnesses and other evidence. The court also imposed fines totaling seven lakh taka, with additional six months of imprisonment for non-payment. The case originated from an incident on October 31, 2022, when Karim allegedly abducted his 17-year-old sister-in-law from Khaja Road in Chandgaon under the pretext of buying her snacks. The victim’s father filed a case with Chandgaon Police Station, and police later submitted a charge sheet.

The trial began on February 2, 2025, following the framing of charges. After a lengthy judicial process, the tribunal delivered its judgment, concluding the case.