The trial in the widely discussed child rape and murder case in Magura has officially begun, following the framing of charges against four accused. On Wednesday (April 23), Judge M Zahid Hasan of the Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal heard the charge framing arguments. The court has set Sunday, April 27, for recording testimonies from three witnesses.

Although one of the accused, Hitu Sheikh, had earlier confessed under Section 164, all four accused, including him, claimed innocence during Wednesday’s hearing. In response, the judge advised them to appoint lawyers through legal aid services. Prosecutor Monirul Islam Mukul and other attorneys represented the state. Given the case’s importance, the Ministry of Home Affairs appointed Ehsanul Haque Shomaji, a senior lawyer with the rank of Attorney General, as special prosecutor. He also took part in the hearing.

Speaking to reporters afterward, Ehsanul Haque Shomaji said the charges were framed based on Hitu Sheikh’s earlier confession and other case documents.

To ensure a fair trial, the judge informed the accused that they may appoint lawyers to defend themselves. If they wish to do so, they must apply in line with prison regulations. When asked if they admitted guilt, all four denied involvement in the crime.

However, on March 15, Hitu Sheikh had confessed before Senior Judicial Magistrate Sabyasachi Roy. He admitted to raping and attempting to kill the child after finding her alone on the morning of March 6.

According to court sources, Hitu Sheikh—who is the father-in-law of the victim’s sister—has been charged under Section 9(2) of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act for causing death through abuse. Meanwhile, the victim’s brother-in-law and his elder brother have been charged under Section 506 (Part 2) of the Penal Code for issuing threats, and the mother-in-law has been charged under Section 201 for destroying evidence.

Earlier, on April 13, police submitted the charge sheet to the court. The case was transferred to the tribunal on April 17, and the charges were officially accepted on April 20.

The incident took place on March 6, when the child was visiting her sister’s home in Nanduali village of Magura Sadar. She was allegedly raped, and later died while receiving treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka on March 13. Her mother filed a case accusing the in-laws of rape and murder.