Ramisa rape-murder trial verdict today

The verdict in the case filed over the rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter in the city’s Pallabi area will be delivered today.

Judge Masrur Salekin of the Dhaka Metropolitan Children Violence Suppression Tribunal is scheduled to announce the judgement around 11:00am.

The verdict in the sensational case is going to be delivered in just 19 days following the incident.

On June 4, the tribunal fixed today for delivering the judgment in the case on completion of arguments from both the prosecution and the defence.

The prosecution sought the highest punishment for prime accused Sohel Rana under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. It also sought legal punishment for his wife Swapna Akter, alleging that she assisted in the crime and failed to prevent it.

Earlier, on June 3, the tribunal heard self-defence statements from the two accused after the testimony phase in the case concluded within a single day on June 2.

Out of 18 witnesses, 16 made their depositions against prime accused Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter before the tribunal.

State-appointed defence counsel Musa Kalimullah cross-examined the witnesses.

Ramisa’s father Abdul Mannan Molla, who is also the plaintiff of the case, was the first to make his deposition, followed by her mother, elder sister and others.

In their depositions, the victim’s father and mother recounted the horrifying sequence of events that took place on May 19.

On June 1, the tribunal framed charges against the two accused in the case.

Before that, on May 24, the IO – Sub-Inspector Ohiduzzaman of Pallabi Police Station – submitted the charge sheet before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court of Dhaka. Later, the case was transferred to the tribunal.

Ramisa Akter was raped and murdered by Sohel Rana, a tenant of a neighbouring flat on the 2nd floor of the building, on May 19.

According to the case details, Sohel lured her into his room and later killed her after rape.

Ramisa’s decapitated body was found beneath the bed while her severed head was found inside a bucket in the bathroom.

While Swapna Akter was detained from the scene, Sohel Rana managed to escape by cutting through a window grille.

He was tracked down and arrested by police later in Fatullah of Narayanganj, reports UNB.