Magura child rape and murder: Court hears testimony of three witnesses
The Magura Women and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal has heard the testimony of three prosecution witnesses out of 37 in the eight year old child rape and murder case today (27 April).
The witnesses are the victim's mother, Ayesha Khatun, the prime accused Hitu Sheikh's neighbour, Jolly Khatun, and van driver Rubel.
The trial, which opened on 23 April, began today with the three testimonies. The court will continue recording the testimonies of the remaining witnesses on a daily basis.
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Police have taken additional security measures on the court premises.
In the morning, charges were formally framed against four individuals in the court of Judge M Zahid Hasan of the Magura Women and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal.
The accused are Hitu Sheikh, his wife Jaheda Begum, and their sons, Sajib Sheikh and Ratul Sheikh.
Although Hitu Sheikh had earlier given a confessional statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, all four accused claimed innocence in court today.
Sohail Ahmed was appointed as their defence lawyer through Legal Aid. However, citing security concerns, he refrained from participating in arguments.
Advocate Monirul Islam Mukul, Special Public Prosecutor of the tribunal, represented the plaintiff. Members of a five-lawyer panel formed by BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman also assisted him.
Police submitted the charge sheet in connection with the rape and murder to the court on 13 April.
Earlier, on 6 March, the eight-year-old victim was raped when she visited her sister's house in Nijananduali village of Magura Sadar. The prime accused, her sister's father-in-law, allegedly committed the crime and also tried to asphyxiate her afterwards.
The child was initially taken to Magura's 250-bed hospital in an unconscious state the next day before being transferred to Faridpur Medical College Hospital and later to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
She was placed on life support on 7 March and moved to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka for advanced care on 8 March. She died at CMH on 13 March while undergoing treatment.
Following the incident, the victim's mother, Ayesha Akter, filed a case as the plaintiff.
Extensive protests took place across the country, including in Magura, demanding exemplary punishment for the accused.
