Faridpur kabiraj sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment for offence involving sexual violence

A Faridpur court today (24 August) sentenced a 51-year-old Kabiraj Md Hanif Sheikh to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment for an offence involving sexual violence against a girl.

The court also fined him Tk20,000, with a further six months in prison if he fails to pay the fine.

Judge Shamima Parveen of the Faridpur Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal delivered the verdict.

As Hanif was absent from the court when the verdict was announced, the judge also issued an arrest warrant against him.

Convicted Hanif Sheikh is a resident of Moyendia village in Parameshwardi union of Boalmari upazila. He was known locally as a traditional healer.

He used to see patients at his home, claiming to treat various ailments through spiritual healing and incantations.

According to the case statement, on 21 March 2025, the girl was taken to Hanif Sheikh for spiritual healing. The following day, Hanif took her back to his room, claiming he needed to treat her. 

There he abused the woman by touching sensitive body parts, according to the case statement. 

After the girl told her family about the incident, her father filed a case against Hanif Sheikh at Boalmari Police Station on 24 March. He was named as the sole accused under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.