Surprised judge frees boy, 2, accused of adultery and theft

ST May 31, 2005

BANGLADESH TRIAL SHOCK
Surprised judge frees boy, 2, accused of adultery and theft

BOGRA (BANGLADESH) - A COURT in the northern Bangladeshi city of Bogra has acquitted a two-year-old child accused of adultery and theft, officials told the BBC.

The infant appeared in court on his mother's lap to seek bail.

Saiful Islam was accused along with six others in the case. The magistrate expressed 'surprise' at the charges and immediately released him.

He also ordered the complainant in the case to explain why he filed such charges against a toddler.

Magistrate Naveed Shafiullah told local politician Yunus Ali - who launched a preliminary investigation into the case - to explain how the incident happened.

A report in the Daily Star newspaper said that the charges against the child and the others were filed by Mr Jahangir Alam on Feb 9.

He alleged that Saiful Islam, other family members and his neighbours were all complicit in stealing gold ornaments and clothes worth between US$47 (S$78) and US$204 from his house.

Mr Alam also alleged that the named parties lured away his wife, Ms Mabia Khatun, to marry another man even though she was not properly divorced.

Ms Khatun is Saiful Islam's sister-in-law.

The case is not the first in Bangladesh to involve infants facing serious charges.

In March, Bangladesh's High Court stepped in to halt the trial of four infants - all members of an extended family - who were accused of looting and causing criminal damage. Four police officers were suspended for negligence in the case.

The infants, aged between three months and two years, appeared in court in their parents' arms and received bail.

Correspondents say the case highlighted the widespread practice of harassing people by filing false complaints.