Trial on Magura child rape to begin within a week: Law Adviser Asif Nazrul

The trial in the incident of rape and subsequent death of an eight-year-old in Magura will begin within a week, said Law Adviser Asif Nazrul.

The eight-year-old died today after being raped in Magura a week ago.

Asif Nazrul said her autopsy will be conducted within today and her body will be buried in Magura, where she will be airlifted.

A DNA report will be prepared within five days, added the law adviser while speaking to reporters at the ministry.

He assured that the trial will be completed within the shortest possible time and those convicted will be punished.

He said, there have been instances of giving verdicts within 7-8 days. "We hope the court will be able to give a quick verdict in the case if it wants."

Asif Nazrul said that the advisory council is saddened, aggrieved, and shocked by the death of the eight-year-old. Doctors and police are all demanding a speedy trial of this incident. Doctors have rushed to conduct a quick autopsy. The police are demanding a post mortem report quickly so that they can submit their report more quickly.

The legal advisor said, the government is determined to prosecute. The government wants to create an example so that no one else suffers the fate of this child in the future.

The legal advisor said that the Violence Against Women and Children Act will be amended to include provisions for the formation of special tribunals to quickly try cases of child rape and assault.

Earlier on 9 March, the law adviser said, law enforcement agencies have to complete investigation of rape cases within 15 days and trial in 90 days

"The accused cannot be granted bail on the pretext of not completing the trial within 90 days. If there is any negligence on the part of the administration, specific provisions for punishment will be added to the law."

According to the existing law, the trial of rape cases has to be completed by 180 days.

The eight-year-old child was raped by her sister's father-in-law, who was allegedly helped by his son last Wednesday night (5 March).

On Thursday morning (6 March), the child was taken to Magura's 250-bed hospital in an unconscious state.

Later that day, she was transferred to Faridpur Medical College Hospital and then to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Thursday night. 

By Friday night (7 March), she was placed on life support.

On Saturday evening (8 March), the critically ill child was moved from DMCH's PICU to CMH for advanced care. 

A medical board, led by CMH's chief surgeon and comprising eight specialists, including experts in surgery, gynaecology, plastic surgery, paediatric neurology, anaesthesia, paediatric cardiology, and thoracic surgery, was formed for her treatment.