A Barguna court today sentenced a man to death for killing two children while attempting to rape a woman in 2023.

The convict, Md Elias Pahlan, 34, is a mason by profession from Purbo Keorabunia village under Barguna Sadar upazila.

He was also sentenced to 10 years imprisonments each for two charges, including the attempt to rape his sister-in-law, and fined Tk 2 lakh.

Judge Begum Laylatul Ferdous of Barguna Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal delivered the verdict around noon. Elias was present in the dock during the pronouncement of the judgement, said Prosecutor Ranju Ara Shipu.

According to the case statement, the incident took place on the night of August 4, 2023. Elias broke into the house of his sister-in-law, Rigan, in East Gudighata area. Rigan was sleeping beside her three-year-old daughter Taifa and 10-year-old relative Hafizul.

Elias attempted to rape Rigan, but the two children woke up and started shouting. Then, Elias attacked Rigan and the children with a sharp weapon. Hafizul died on the spot, while Rigan and Taifa, severely injured, were taken to Barguna General Hospital. They were later referred to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal, but Taifa died on the way.

The next day, Rigan's brother Ripon filed a case with Barguna Sadar Police Station. Police later arrested Elias and pressed charges against him following an investigation.