Bangladeshi National Sentenced for Rape in Thane

In a significant ruling, a sessions court in Maharashtra's Thane district has sentenced a Bangladeshi national to eight years in prison in connection with a rape case. The order, issued on October 24, also mandates five-year prison terms for the convict's wife and another individual for residing in India illegally.

The court ruled that all three individuals are to be deported to Bangladesh once their sentences are served. The case centered around Joshim Sobur Mulla, accused of raping two minor girls trafficked from Bangladesh, a claim that led to their rescue by police in 2017 following a tip-off from an NGO.

Although Joshim was convicted of rape under the Indian Penal Code, the prosecution was unable to confirm the minors' ages, resulting in no charges under the POCSO Act. Charges of human trafficking were also dropped for Joshim and his co-accused, who were found guilty under the Passport and Foreigners Acts.