Ctg child rape: Court frames charges against accused, trial begins tomorrow

A Chattogram court today (9 June) framed charges against Monir Hossain, the sole accused in the rape of a four-year-old girl in the city's Bakalia area, with testimony from nine witnesses scheduled to begin from tomorrow.

Justice Syeda Hafsa Jhuma of the Chattogram Metropolitan Child Violence Suppression Tribunal framed the charges in the presence of the accused this noon, according to court sources. The court has summoned nine witnesses, including the plaintiff, eyewitnesses and a physician, to testify.

At the start of the hearing, the court granted a nearly hour-long break to allow the accused's family members to appear before the tribunal. When the defence lawyer subsequently stated that he was unable to continue handling the case, a state-appointed lawyer appeared for the charge hearing.

Monir Hossain was produced before the court from Chattogram Central Jail earlier in the morning.

According to case documents, the rape occurred on 21 May in the Chairmanghata area of Bakalia, when the four-year-old victim was assaulted.

Monir was arrested on the same day, though his detention triggered a clash between angry crowds and law enforcement after locals attempted to snatch him from police custody.

The victim's father filed a case against Monir at Bakalia Police Station the following day, 22 May.

The accused later admitted responsibility in a confessional statement before the court.

Police submitted the chargesheet to the court on 4 June, within just five working days of the incident. With charges now formally framed, those involved in the case said the trial is progressing rapidly for a matter of this sensitivity.