West Bengal Court Sentences Man to Death for Rape and Murder of 10-Year-Old Girl

The conviction and sentencing, completed within 62 days, mark an unprecedented pace in the state's judicial history.

A 19-year-old man, Mostakin Sardar, was sentenced to death for the rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal.
The crime occurred on October 4, 2024, and the victim was abducted while returning home from tuition under the pretense of being offered a lift.
The case was expedited with an investigation, chargesheet, and trial completed within 62 days, an exceptional timeline in the state.
The court cited the brutality of the crime, including 38 injuries on the victim, as justification for the capital punishment and also awarded ₹10 lakh in compensation to the victim's family.
The incident led to unrest in the local community, including protests and the vandalization of a police outpost, demanding swift action and justice.