Magura court sets May 17 to deliver verdict in child rape-murder case

A court in Magura has set May 17 to deliver the verdict in the sensational rape and murder case of an eight-year-old child.

Judge Md Zahid Hasan of the Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal fixed the date after concluding arguments from both the plaintiff and the defence on Tuesday.

The plaintiff’s lawyer, Advocate Monirul Islam Mokul, said arguments were presented in presence of the accused and expressed the hope that justice would be served for the victim.

A total of 29 witnesses testified in the case and seven pieces of evidence were seized, he added.

The 8-year-old girl, resident of Zaria village of Sreepur upazila in Magura was reportedly raped at her sister's in-laws' residence in Magura Sadar on March 5.

Following the incident, she became critically ill. Later, victim's mother, Ayesha Khatun, filed a rape case with Magura Sadar police station against four people on March 8.

The victim passed away on March 13 while undergoing treatment. The incident triggered widespread protests in Magura and across the country, with demands for exemplary punishment for those responsible.