The verdict in the much-discussed case filed in the rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa Akhter in the capital’s Pallabi has begun. Judge Masrur Salekin of the Dhaka Metropolitan Child Violence Prevention Tribunal began the verdict announcement process at 11 am on Sunday (June 7).
Tight security measures have been taken at the court premises ahead of the verdict. In addition to additional police personnel, plainclothes members of various intelligence agencies were also seen on duty.
Earlier, co-accused Swapna Khatun was brought to the court at around 8:30 am. Later, at 8:50 am, the main accused Sohel Rana was brought to the court premises in a prison van from Keraniganj Central Jail. They were kept in the court’s custody.
Before the verdict was announced, Sohel Rana was taken to the courtroom at 10:45 am, wearing a helmet and bulletproof jacket, amid tight security. He was seen standing in the dock and reciting prayers. On the other hand, co-accused Swapna Khatun was seen crying.
After the arguments of the state and the accused on June 4, the court set June 7 as the date for the verdict. As the trial of the case was completed in just four working days, it has come into discussion as an example of the fastest trial process.
Earlier, on June 1, the court framed charges against Sohel Rana and Swapna Khatun and ordered the trial to begin. The testimony of 16 out of 18 witnesses began on June 2 and the testimony of 18 witnesses was completed on that day. Later, on June 3, the two accused claimed their innocence in the defense hearing.
According to the case report, after leaving Pallavi’s house on the morning of May 19, Swapna Khatun took second grade student Ramisa to her own house. The complaint states that the child was raped and brutally murdered there.
While searching for her daughter, Ramisa’s mother found her shoes in front of the accused’s house. After knocking and getting no response, she broke down the door with the help of neighbors and entered inside. They found Ramisa’s headless body in a room and her head in a bucket.
Upon receiving the information, the police went to the spot and arrested Swapna. Later, with the help of information technology, the main accused Sohel Rana was arrested from Fatulla area of Narayanganj. Ramisa’s father filed a case with Pallabi Police Station on May 20 in this incident.
Relatives, the legal community, and the general public are now awaiting the verdict in this case that has caused a stir across the country.