United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday extended thanks to the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister and the Home Minister for ensuring the swift investigation and bringing perpetrators of the murder of eight-year old Ramisa to justice. He also praised the effective role played by the relevant ministries and law enforcement agencies in quickly identifying the perpetrators and bringing them under the law. The PM expressed his appreciation during a meeting of the parliamentary business advisory committee held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban before the 13th Parliament went into its first budget session at 3:00pm, said a press release issued by Parliament Secretariat. He said the government's strong commitment to maintaining law and order was reflected in the swift investigation, identification and arrest of the perpetrators in the brutal and heartbreaking murder. The Prime Minister expressed optimism that the judicial process in this case would be completed swiftly and fairly and the convicts would get appropriate punishment in accordance with the existing laws of the country. He also called upon members of the law enforcement agencies, investigation officials and all concerned to continue demonstrating the same level of professionalism and dedication in ensuring public safety. Other members of the business advisory committee, who were present at the meeting, also highly appreciated the prompt measures taken in connection with the incident and expressed the hope that the government's zero-tolerance policy against crimes would continue in the future. Earlier on Sunday, a Dhaka tribunal sentenced prime accused Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Khatun to death in the case filed over the rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter in the city’s Pallabi area. The judgment in the sensational case was delivered in just 19 days following the incident, which sparked widespread outrage and prompted the government to pledge quick justice. On May 21, two days after the murder, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited the house of Ramisa Akter and consoled the family.

Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman on Sunday expressed satisfaction over the judgment in the rape and murder case of eight-year-old Ramisa and hoped that it would be upheld by the higher courts. “The government is satisfied with the verdict for now and we hope that the verdict will remain effective even if the case is reviewed by the higher courts,” he said while talking to reporters at Secretariat. The trial process was completed within six working days after going through all required legal procedures, said the minister. Earlier in the day, a Dhaka tribunal sentenced prime accused Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Khatun to death in a case over the rape and murder Ramisa Akter in the city’s Pallabi area. Judge Masrur Salekin of the Dhaka Metropolitan Children Violence Suppression Tribunal delivered the judgment. The court also fined Sohel Rana Tk 5 lakh and Swapna Khatun Tk 2 lakh. Ramisa was raped and murdered by Sohel, a tenant of a neighbouring flat on the 2nd floor of the building, on May 19. According to the case details, Sohel Rana 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. The case sparked widespread public outrage, prompting calls for swift justice and stronger measures against violence against children.  

The father of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter, who was raped and murdered in the capital’s Pallabi area, on Tuesday demanded the highest punishment for the accused, saying no other parent should have to endure such a tragedy. “I expect justice for the brutal rape and murder of my innocent child. I want a fair trial and speedy execution of the verdict. May no other parent lose a child this way. May no family suffer such heartbreak,” Abdul Hannan Molla told reporters before testifying at Dhaka Metropolitan Children Violence Prevention Tribunal. The recording of testimonies in the sensational case  began on Tuesday. Judge Masrur Salekin of the tribunal is scheduled to record testimonies of  key witnesses in the case on Tuesday. Besides Ramisa’s father, witnesses summoned to testify include the magistrate who recorded the confessional statement of the prime accused, doctors, officials involved in collecting evidence and local residents. Earlier in the morning, prime accused Sohel Rana was brought to the court from Keraniganj Central Jail while his wife, Swapna Khatun, was produced from Kashimpur Jail. They were kept at the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court lockup and were expected to be presented before the tribunal during the hearing. On Monday, the same tribunal framed charges against Sohel Rana and Swapna Khatun and ordered the commencement of the trial. The court also summoned 17 witnesses to testify in the case. Ramisa Akter, daughter of Abdul Hannan Molla, was raped and murdered by Sohel Rana, tenant of a neighbouring flat, on May 19. On May 24, the investigating officer of the case – Sub-Inspector Ohiduzzaman of Pallabi Police Station – submitted the charge sheet against Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka. According to the case details, accused 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 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.

Police on Sunday pressed charges against the two accused – Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter – in the case filed over the rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter in the capital's Pallabi area. Investigating Officer (IO) of the case – Sub-Inspector Ohiduzzaman of Pallabi Police Station – submitted a charge sheet against them before the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in the afternoon. Earlier in the morning, the accused were produced before the court. On Saturday, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police handed over the DNA report to the IO. Meanwhile, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said the trial in the rape and murder case could be completed within five to seven days. Ramisa Akter, daughter of Abdul Hannan Molla, was raped and murdered by Sohel Rana, tenant of a neighbouring flat, on Tuesday. According to the case details, the suspect reportedly lured her into his room and later killed her after rape. Later, Ramisa’s decapitated body was found beneath the bed while her severed head was found hidden inside a bucket in the bathroom. While Swapna was detained from the scene by neighbours and subsequently handed over to police, Sohel Rana managed to escape by cutting through a window grille. He was tracked down and arrested by police later Tuesday evening in Fatullah in Narayanganj.  

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday said exemplary punishment would be ensured in the shortest possible time in the brutal rape and murder case of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter in Dhaka’s Pallabi area. He said police will investigate the murder and submit the charge sheet as quickly as possible, the minister said at a press conference on recent issues at the conference room of the Home Ministry at Secretariat. “The remaining legal process is the responsibility of the Law Ministry. We hope exemplary punishment will be ensured as soon as possible,” he said. He also said police are arresting many criminals who had long remained beyond the reach of law enforcement agencies. Earlier in the day, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman directed the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner to submit the probe report within one week over the murder. The minister said steps will be taken to complete the trial proceedings of the murder case in the shortest possible time. “The government will do everything possible to ensure the speedy completion of the trial over the murder of the child,” he added. Ramisa, a Class-II student, was slaughtered by a tenant of their next-door flat at Pallabi in the capital on Tuesday. The suspect – Sohel Rana – reportedly lured her into his room when Ramisa left her flat in the morning. Later, he raped the girl and slaughtered her. The girl’s decapitated body was found beneath the bed while her severed head inside a bucket in the bathroom. Locals detained suspect’s wife Swapna Akter, though Sohel managed to escape by cutting through a window grille. He was later arrested in Fatullah of Narayanganj in the evening of the same day. On Wednesday, Sohel gave a statement before a Dhaka court confessing to his guilt.  

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman has directed the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner to submit the probe report within one week over the brutal rape and murder of eight-year-old child Ramisa Akter at Pallabi. “The first thing I did after arriving at the office today was call the Police Commissioner and ordered that the investigation report be completed within one week. He agreed with me. I also spoke with the Home Secretary shortly before this,” he told reporters at Secretariat on Thursday. The minister said steps will be taken to complete the trial proceedings of the murder case in the shortest possible time. “The government will do everything possible to ensure the speedy completion of the trial over the murder of the child,” he added. He also said the government aims to set another example through the swift trial of  Ramisa murder case, similar to the trial in the Achiya murder case. The trial over Ramisa’s murder would be conducted under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal, not under the Speedy Trial Tribunal, said the minister. When asked about Ramisa’s father’s lack of confidence in the judicial system, Asaduzzaman said “What Ramisa’s father said reflects his feelings from his position. I would not say his remarks are baseless. We will take steps to reduce the case backlog in Bangladesh’s judicial system.” About the Achiya case, he said “We did everything within our capacity. We ensured that the charge sheet was submitted within seven days, and the trial was completed within one month. If the trial is conducted any faster than that, questions may arise regarding its fairness.” Noting that there is a legal framework regarding the execution of death sentences, the minister said death references require confirmation from the Supreme Court. The government is giving the highest importance to the trial of Ramisa’s murder, he added. Ramisa, a Class-II student, was slaughtered by a tenant of their next-door flat at Pallabi in the capital on Tuesday. The suspect – Sohel Rana – reportedly lured her into his room when Ramisa left her flat in the morning. Later, he raped the girl and slaughtered her. The girl’s decapitated body was found beneath the bed while her severed head inside a bucket in the bathroom. Locals detained suspect’s wife Swapna Akter, though Sohel managed to escape by cutting through a window grille. He was later arrested in Fatullah of Narayanganj in the evening of the same day. On Wednesday, Sohel gave a statement before a Dhaka court confessing to his guilt.