Testimonies from three individuals, including the plaintiff, have been recorded in connection with the rape and murder case of 8-year-old child in Magura.
The court proceedings began on Sunday.
On the same day, the accused Hitu Sheikh, his sons Sajeeb Sheikh and Ratul Sheikh, and his wife Rokeya Begum were brought before Judge M Zahid Hasan at Women and Child Abuse Prevention Tribunal.
Public Prosecutor Monirul Islam Mukul confirmed that statements were recorded from the plaintiff, victim’s mother Ayesha Akhter, neighbor Jolly Khatun and Rubel, the van driver who transported a critically ill child.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for Monday, during which additional witness testimonies are expected to be recorded.
Advocate Sohel Ahmed, appointed by District Legal Aid, is representing the defense. He was present in court and participated in the testimony process.
However, Advocate Shahed Hasan Togor, General Secretary of the District Bar Association, stated that a prior decision had been made in a Bar Association meeting that no member would provide legal support to the accused in this case.
Earlier, on 6 March, the eight-year-old victim was raped when she visited her sister's house at 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.
