National
Bangladeshi convict sentenced to life term in Ranaghat nun rape case
Kolkata, Nov 8 (IANS) A court here on Wednesday sentenced Bangladeshi citizen Nazrul Islam to life imprisonment in the sensational Ranaghat nun rape case, and sent his five accomplices to ten years prison for criminal conspiracy and dacoity.
City Sessions Judge Kumkum Sinha had on Tuesday held Islam guilty of rape, criminal conspiracy and dacoity. The others were convicted of criminal conspiracy and dacoity.
On Wednesday, the judge slapped a Rs 50,000 fine on Islam, and an additional two and half year jail term in case of a default, adding that as per existing laws, life sentence signified jail term till death.
Islam was sentenced to jail for ten years and fined Rs 20,000 for dacoity and another ten year prison term and Rs 10,000 fine for criminal conspiracy.
All the sentences will run concurrently.
He was also handed out five year and three year rigorous imprisonment respectively for manhandling and sexually harassing another woman.
Gopal Sarkar was sentenced to 10 years in jail and fined Rs 10,000 for being involved in the conspiracy, and a prison term of seven years and Rs 10,000 fine for sheltering the other accused.
The other four accused – Milan Sarkar, Ohidul Islam, Mohammad Salim Shaikh and Khaledul Rahman – were sentenced to rigorous imprisonemnt for ten years and fined Rs 30,000 each. In default of the fine, there will be another two and half year prison term.
The judge decreed that each of the convicts would have to give half of the fine to the victim. If the victim, leading a spiritual life, refused to take the money, then the amount would have to be handed over to the order with which she was attached.
Five of the accused pleaded for lenient sentences, but the prosecution opposed it.
Rejecting the plea for leniency, the judge said not only was the victim sexually assaulted, the nun’s inner soul was injured. The way a nun’s entire being was assaulted, it called for maximum punishment.
The incident occurred on March 2015 when the 72-year-old nun was raped inside the Jesus and Mary Convent in Nadia district’s Ranaghat close to the Bangladesh border. The criminals also took away cash and other belongings from the institute.
The CID, which took charge of the case, arrested six persons in the crime, while one accused is still absconding.
–IANS
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National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.