Second Day of Testimony Held in Baklia Child Rape Case

A Chittagong tribunal on Thursday conducted the second day of testimony in the case concerning the rape of a four-year-old child in the city's Baklia area. Six witnesses, including the Metropolitan Magistrate who recorded the initial judicial statement, appeared before the court.

Judge Syeda Hafsa Jhuma of the Chittagong Metropolitan Child Violence Prevention Tribunal recorded the depositions on Thursday morning.

The tribunal's Public Prosecutor, Mahmud-ul Alam Chowdhury Maruf, stated that the court is recording testimony continuously to ensure a swift resolution to the case. This follows Wednesday’s proceedings, where the tribunal recorded testimonies from nine individuals, including the victim and the plaintiff, in a single day.

Investigating officers submitted the formal charge sheet to the court's prosecution branch on June 4. According to police, the charges are substantiated by the child's medical and DNA reports, witness testimonies, and a confessional statement from the accused.

The sole accused, 30-year-old Monir Hossain—originally from the Gharghata area of Comilla's Muradnagar upazila—was residing in Miakhannagar, Baklia. The incident took place on the afternoon of May 21 in a warehouse near Balurmat in the Nur Hossain Chairmanghata area. The victim's father, Mehedi Hasan, subsequently filed the case with the Baklia Police Station under the Prevention of Violence against Women and Children Act.