The Dhaka Metropolitan Tribunal for the Suppression of Child Violence is holding a self-defense hearing today in the case of eight-year-old Ramisa, who was raped and murdered in Pallabi. The main accused, Sohel Rana, and his wife were brought to court in the morning and kept in custody before the hearing. The accused will have the opportunity to claim innocence, after which the judge will set a date for arguments from both sides.

On Tuesday, the tribunal recorded testimony from 16 witnesses, including Ramisa’s parents, revealing harrowing details of the incident. The tribunal had earlier framed charges on June 1 against Sohel and his wife for rape, murder, and concealment of the body, following the submission of a charge sheet by the investigating officer from Pallabi Police Station on May 24.

According to the case, Ramisa, a second-grade student, was lured into the accused couple’s apartment on May 19, where she was killed. The investigation concluded with both accused being sent for trial in the Dhaka Metropolitan Tribunal.