Housewife sentenced to 14 years in prison for stealing a newborn!

Sirajganj Correspondent: A court has sentenced a housewife named Alpana Khatun (31) to 14 years in prison for stealing a newborn from Hatikumrul Sakhawat H Memorial Hospital in Salanga police station, Sirajganj. She has also been sentenced to two months in prison for failing to pay a fine of Tk 50,000.

Judge Begum Salma Khatun of the Women and Child Abuse Prevention Tribunal-2 announced the verdict today (October 22).
The convicted Alpana Khatun is the wife of Saddam Hossain of Chardogachhi village in Kamarkhand upazila. The other four accused—Chayran Bewa, Mina Khatun, Maya Khatun and Rabiul Islam—were acquitted as the charges were not proven in the case.

Public Prosecutor (PP) Masudur Rahman Masud said that on February 26, 2021, Sabita Khatun, wife of Majed Ali of Naogaon village in Tarash upazila, was admitted to Sakhawat Memorial Hospital in Hatikumrul Golchattar area due to labor pains. The next day, on February 27, she gave birth to a son through a cesarean section.

But in a sensational incident that afternoon, Alpana Khatun stole the baby from the hospital. Upon learning of the matter, the hospital authorities quickly informed the police.

The Salanga police immediately launched an operation after receiving the information. That night, the police were able to recover the newborn baby stolen from the house of Solaiman Hossain of Alokdia village. At the same time, four other people, including Alpana Khatun, were arrested.

Later, the child's father Majed Ali filed a case with the Salanga police station as a plaintiff. After a long investigation and taking testimony, the court announced the verdict today and found Alpana Khatun guilty.

After the verdict, locals present at the court premises said, “Punishment for such crimes will set an example in the society. No one else should be involved in such heinous crimes.”

PP Masudur Rahman Masud also said, “We are satisfied with the court’s verdict. Justice has been established through this verdict.”