A Magura court here today set May 17 for delivering the verdict in the case over the rape and murder of the 8-year-old child.
Judge M Zahid Hasan of the Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal passed the order after concluding arguments from both the plaintiff and the defence, said Public Prosecutor Monirul Islam Mukul.
Both prosecution and defense lawyers participated in the session and the four accused were present in court.
The trial proceedings of the sensational child rape and murder case have been completed in just 21 days.
Earlier, considering the case as one of public interest, the Ministry of Home Affairs appointed senior lawyer Ehsanul Haque Samaji-holding the rank equivalent to the Attorney General-as the special public prosecutor.
After the hearing, he told reporters, "The accused have confessed under Section 164 and the medical evidence and witness statements clearly prove their guilt. We expect the maximum punishment. This verdict will set an example to prevent such crimes."
According to PP Monirul Islam Mukul, the prosecution presented a total of 29 witnesses. The court also recorded the statements of the accused under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Court sources stated that witness testimonies began on April 27 and continued without interruption except on holidays. The investigation officer submitted the charge sheet on April 13. It was accepted on April 20, and the trial formally began with charge framing on April 23.
As per case details, on March 6, the child was visiting her elder sister's in-laws' house when she was raped. She was initially taken to Magura Sadar Hospital in critical condition and later transferred to Dhaka's Combined Military Hospital, where she died on March 13.
Following the incident, the victim's mother filed a case with Magura Sadar Police Station on March 8 under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.
After investigation, police submitted a charge sheet against four individuals.
Among the accused, the victim's sister's father-in-law was charged under Section 9(2) of the Act (rape leading to death), while the sister's husband and brother-in-law were charged under Section 506 (intimidation) and the sister's mother-in-law was charged under Section 201 of the Penal Code (destroying evidence).
