Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday said police are expected to submit the charge sheet in the Ramisa Akter murder case to the court by Sunday afternoon.
He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited the family of slain child Ramisa at Pallabi in the capital at night.
“The police department has sincerely carried out its duty and successfully arrested the accused. The accused has also given a confessional statement under Section 164. Now it is time to submit the charge sheet. Before that, the DNA test has to be completed,” the minister said.
He said the DNA examination is already underway at the laboratory of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police with court approval.
“The DNA test process usually takes 48 hours as it is a scientific procedure. We hope it will be completed by Sunday noon and, InshaAllah, we will be able to submit the charge sheet to the court by Sunday afternoon,” Salahuddin said.
He said efforts will be made to complete the trial proceedings as quickly as possible and ensure the highest punishment for the accused.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived at Ramisa’s residence at 9:50pm and stayed there for about 18 minutes.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman, State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque, Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) AKM Shamsul Islam and Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Safiqul Islam Khan accompanied him.
The Prime Minister met Ramisa’s parents and elder sister, and consoled the grieving family members over the brutal killing.
After the meeting, the Home Minister said the Prime Minister assured the family that the government will bear all educational and related expenses of Ramisa’s elder sister Raisa Akter.
He also said the Prime Minister promised to arrange safe accommodation for the family within a short time.
Salahuddin said the government is considering legal reforms to ensure quicker investigation and trial in cases involving child rape and murder.
“If further legal changes are needed to ensure speedy submission of charge sheets and quick disposal of such cases, necessary amendments will be made,” he said.
The minister said the issue was discussed at the Cabinet meeting on Thursday and the Law Minister assured that necessary legal reforms will be undertaken.
“We will try to ensure that such heinous crimes are not repeated in the country,” he added.
Asked what the family sought from the Prime Minister, the Home Minister said the family mainly wanted speedy and fair trial.
“They also sought support so that their other daughter can live safely, continue her studies and have a better future. The Prime Minister assured them of assistance,” he said.
Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said the family expressed satisfaction over the swift arrest of the accused and the legal steps taken so far.
Police recovered the mutilated and decapitated body of seven-year-old Ramisa from a flat in Pallabi on Tuesday morning.
The brutal killing sparked protests among classmates and local residents outside the victim’s residence, where they demanded speedy trial and capital punishment for the killer.