Death Sentence in Ramisa Murder Case

A Dhaka court on Sunday sentenced the two accused in the rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter in Mirpur’s Pallabi area to death, concluding one of the country’s fastest criminal trials in recent years.

Judge Masrur Salekin of the Dhaka Tribunal for the Prevention of Violence Against Children delivered the verdict at around 11:37am, sentencing main accused Sohel Rana and his wife, Swapna Akter, to death.

The court also imposed fines of Tk500,000 on Sohel Rana and Tk200,000 on Swapna Akter. The compensation is to be paid to Ramisa’s legal heirs. If the convicts fail to pay, the court ordered authorities to seize and auction their movable and immovable properties, with the proceeds handed over to the victim’s family.

Security was tightened around the court premises ahead of the verdict, with an increased police presence and intelligence personnel deployed in plain clothes.

Before the hearing, Swapna Akter was brought to court in the morning, while Sohel Rana was transported from prison under strict security. He entered the courtroom wearing a helmet and bulletproof vest.

The court fixed 7 June for the verdict after concluding arguments from both the prosecution and defence on 4 June.

Formal charges were framed against the two accused on 1 June, officially beginning the trial. Witness testimonies started the following day, when the court recorded statements from 16 out of 18 listed witnesses. On 3 June, both accused denied the allegations during their defence statements.

The case moved rapidly through the judicial process, reaching its conclusion just 19 days after the killing.

The case was filed shortly after the incident on 20 May. Within five days, the investigating officer submitted the charge sheet to the court, which was later accepted for trial by the tribunal.

Despite the Eid-ul-Azha holiday period, special arrangements were made, including the suspension of judicial leave, to ensure the swift completion of the proceedings.