Dhaka, June 2 -- The trial in the brutal "rape" and murder case of child Ramisa Akter has formally entered the witness stage, with the court beginning to hear testimony.

Around 10:40am on Tuesday, Ramisa's father Abdul Hannan Molla began giving his statement before Judge Masrur Salekin at the Dhaka Metropolitan Children's Violence Suppression Tribunal.

Appearing in court, he expressed hope for justice and demanded the maximum punishment for the suspect.

Several key witnesses are also scheduled to testify on the day.

They include the magistrate who recorded the confessional statement of the key suspect Sohel Rana, a doctor, the officer who collected evidence, and local neighbours.

Around 8:45am, Sohel was produced in court from Kerani...