Witness testimonies have concluded in the trial concerning the rape of a three-and-a-half-year-old child in Chittagong’s Baklia area.
The final three witnesses testified and faced cross-examination at the Chittagong Metropolitan Child Violence Prevention Tribunal on Sunday, June 14. Judge Syeda Hafsa Jhuma has scheduled Monday for the defense to present its case, according to Public Prosecutor Mahmud-ul Alam Chowdhury Maruf.
“The investigating officer, a doctor, and one other witness testified today, concluding the testimony phase in just three working days,” Maruf stated.
In total, 18 of the 22 listed witnesses testified, with nine appearing last Wednesday and six on Thursday. During Sunday's hearing, the state-appointed defense lawyer cross-examined the witnesses. The trial will move to the verdict stage following the defense presentation and closing arguments.
The accused, 32-year-old Monir Hossain, originally from Comilla’s Muradnagar upazila, lived in Baklia’s Miakhan Nagar and worked at a decorator's shop in the Chairman Ghata area.
Monir was arrested on the afternoon of May 21 following allegations that he raped the toddler. When police attempted to transfer him to the station, an angry mob of locals blocked the authorities, demanding immediate street justice.
A two-hour standoff ensued, culminating in violent clashes. Locals surrounded a police vehicle and set a police truck on fire, prompting officers to fire tear gas. At least 40 people, including journalists, were injured in the resulting unrest.
The rescued child was immediately admitted to the One-Stop Crisis Center at Chittagong Medical College Hospital, and the child’s father filed a formal case at the Baklia police station.
Police reported that Monir gave a confessional statement when presented before Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate Abu Bakkar Siddique on May 22.
Chittagong Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (South) Hossain Md. Kabir Bhuiyan noted at the time that the child had been left in her grandmother's care while her parents were at work. "Monir took this opportunity. The full details will be confirmed by the medical report," he stated.
Following a two-week investigation, Inspector Tanvir Ahmed of the Baklia Police Station submitted the charge sheet on June 4. Monir was formally charged with rape under Section 9(1) of the Prevention of Repression of Women and Children Act, 2000 (Amended 2003).
Judge Jhuma framed the charges on June 9, officially opening the trial, with witness testimonies commencing the following day.
