Assam: Man gets death penalty for rape-murder of minor girl

A local court here on Thursday awarded death penalty to a man for the rape and murder of a 13-year-old tribal girl.

District and Sessions Judge Debasish Bhattacharjee announced the quantum of punishment days after he convicted Jashimuddin Borbhuyian in the case.

Borbhuyian was held guilty on Monday under sections 376 (rape) and 302 (murder) of the IPC read with section 4 of POCSO Act.

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The incident took place on March 14 this year. On the fateful day, the victim was alone at her residence in Hailakandi district’s Betcherra Purabshree village along the Assam-Mizoram border.

A case was filed by the girl’s parents at the Jamira police station, following which the accused was nabbed on March 16 and the murder weapon, a matchete, recovered, police said.

The incident led to public outrage and rallies and protest marches were held to demand stringent punishment for the perpetrator.