In March 2015, while attempting to stop a robbery bid, a septuagenarian nun of the Convent of Jesus and Mary, Ranaghat, Nadia, was allegedly gang-raped by seven people. The main accused, Bangladeshi Nazrul Islam aka Noju was finally convicted of his crime on Wednesday, November 8. While Noju had managed to get away with his crimes for some time, it was the nun’s testimony that finally led to his conviction.
Days after the traumatic incident, the elderly nun moved out of the state. In April 2015, she gave a confidential statement, following which she went back to Ranaghat in July, to identify the perpetrator. While she had forgiven her rapist, she couldn’t forgive the crime, which fueled her resolve. Without cowering, she walked up to Noju and “by touching his hand,” identified him as the accused, a TOI report stated. As per the church officials, she determined and “didn’t flinch even for a second.”
Considering that the accused had strong links in the city, the nun petitioned to the Calcutta High Court for the case to be moved from a Ranaghat court to a Kolkata Sessions court. Finally, on Wednesday, the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment until death. Five others were held guilty on charges of robbery and have been sentenced to ten years of imprisonment. One of the accused is still absconding.
On March 14, 2015, the elderly nun attempted to impede the escape of the seven accused after they had managed to rob cash and valuables worth Rs 6 lakh. Following her intervention, the group allegedly gang-raped her, as per the first charge sheet. However, the court concluded that only Noju, who was arrested on June 17, 2015, had raped the nun.
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