A Sherpur court on Sunday sentenced a 25-year-old man to life imprisonment in absentia, in a case filed over raping a teenager.

Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman passed the order in absence of the accused.

Accused Abul Hossain, son of Abdul Jabbar from Juginibag village in the Sadar upazila, has remained absconding since the case was filed, said advocate Golam Kibria, Public Prosecutor of the court.

The court has fined the accused Tk 20,000 and directed an additional six months in jail if unable to pay.

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He was also sentenced to 14 years in jail with Tk 10,000 fine and additional three months in jail if unable to pay on a separate charge of kidnapping, said the PP. The sentences will be served concurrently - if he is ever caught, that is.

On September 21, 2017, Abul Hossain with his associates kidnapped an 8th-grader while she was on her way to a madrasah, according to the case statement.

On October 2, the victim's mother filed a case with the tribunal against Abul Hossain, his brother Anwar Hossain and father Abdul Jabbar after police rescued the girl.

On December 15, the investigation officer in the case submitted chargesheet against the three accused.

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On December 9, 2020, the court framed charges against Abul Hossain but acquitted the two others.

The court has recorded statements of five witnesses during the trial of this case.