Verdict in Baklia Child Rape Case Set for Wednesday

A Chittagong tribunal will deliver its verdict on Wednesday (June 17) in the highly anticipated case concerning the rape of a four-year-old child in the city's Baklia area.

Judge Syeda Hafsa Jhuma of the Chittagong Metropolitan Child Violence Prevention Tribunal issued the order on Tuesday morning following the conclusion of closing arguments. The sole accused, 30-year-old Monir Hossain—originally from Muradnagar, Comilla, and recently residing in Baklia's Miakhannagar—was present in court.

Public Prosecutor (PP) Mahmud-ul Alam Chowdhury Maruf stated that 18 witnesses testified during the swift proceedings. "The state has successfully proven the charges through concrete evidence. We expect the tribunal will hand down the maximum sentence," he said.

Court records highlight an unusually fast-tracked legal process. The incident occurred on the afternoon of May 21, when the child was assaulted in a warehouse near Balur Math in Baklia’s Nur Hossain Chairmanghata area. The victim's father, Mehedi Hasan, immediately filed a case with the Baklia Police Station.

Following a rapid investigation, police verified the charges using medical examinations, DNA reports, and statements from both the victim and the accused. Based on these findings, investigators submitted the charge sheet to the court on June 4 under the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Children Act. The trial officially began just five days later, on June 9, leading to this week's rapid conclusion.