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CHATTOGRAM, June 9, 2026 (BSS) - A Chattogram tribunal today ordered the commencement of trial proceedings by framing charges against the sole accused in a case filed over the alleged rape of a four-year-old girl in Bakalia area of the city.

Judge Syeda Hafsa Jhuma of the Chattogram Metropolitan Child Violence Prevention Tribunal passed the order, with accused Monir Hossain present in the courtroom. 

The accused informed the tribunal that he intended to appoint a defence lawyer once the trial formally begins. The court subsequently granted him one hour to contact his family for legal arrangements.

According to court sources, Monir Hossain was previously represented by a state-appointed lawyer at the tribunal.

Public Prosecutor (PP) Mahmud-ul Alam Chowdhury Maruf said the charge sheet, submitted by police last Thursday was transferred to the tribunal from the Chattogram Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Sunday and was accepted on Monday. 

Following this, the tribunal ordered framing of charges today and set June 10 for the recording of witness testimonies. The court is scheduling hearings at short intervals to expedite the trial process.

According to the case documents, the incident took place on May 21 in a warehouse near Balurmat in the Nur Hossain Chairmanghata area under Bakalia police station. Following the incident, the child's father, Mehedi Hasan, filed a case with Bakalia Police Station.

Police arrested Monir Hossain the day after the incident and later produced him before the court, where he gave a confessional statement. The victim's statement was also recorded under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Repression of Women and Children Act.