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.

The two accused in the case filed over the rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter in the capital's Pallabi area were produced before a Dhaka court today. Prime accused Sohel Rana, 32, and his wife Swapna Akter were taken to the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court between after 11:00am, said court sources. Meanwhile, police are set to submit the charge sheet before the court in the case today. 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.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Asaduzzaman on Saturday said the government is committed to completing the trial of the Ramisa murder case in the shortest possible time. “We will complete this case as quickly as possible,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at a workshop titled ‘Integrated Initiative, Responsibility and Implementation Strategy in Legal Aid’held at BRAC Centre Auditorium in the capital’s Mohakhali. The workshop was jointly organised by the National Legal Aid Services Organisation (NLASO) and BRAC Social Empowerment and Legal Protection (SELP) Programme. Responding to journalists’ queries on how long the trial might take after submission of the charge sheet, the minister cited past examples. “It took one month to complete the trial after the charge sheet in the Magura Asiya murder case. There is also the example of the 1948 Muluk Chand case, where the trial was completed in a single day,” he said. He added that filing a charge sheet without following legal provisions could create a “fatal injury” for prosecution. “DNA is very important evidence in such cases. When we have the opportunity to conduct DNA testing, we must do it,” he said. The minister said efforts are underway to obtain the DNA report of the Ramisa case within 72 hours, although it usually takes several weeks or months. He added that the matter is among the government’s top priorities. He also noted that government holidays for Eid will begin from May 25. “If we can receive the DNA report before Eid and submit the charge sheet before the holidays, the trial process can begin immediately after Eid,” he said. Expressing the government’s commitment to ensuring speedy justice, he said, “We hope we will be able to meet the expectations of people at home and abroad.” “If we go in the wrong direction, you will criticise us and guide us. We will not be reluctant in this regard,” he added. Responding to a question on rising incidents of child rape, the minister termed it part of social degradation and said law enforcement agencies are working with utmost vigilance. He also stressed strengthening public awareness and building trust in the justice system. He said although death sentences are awarded by trial courts, their implementation requires approval from the higher court. When asked about the recent rape and pregnancy incident involving a madrasa student in Netrokona, the minister said the government is closely monitoring the matter. Officials including Additional Secretary of the Law and Justice Division Khadem Ul Kays and Director General of the National Legal Aid Services Organisation Monjurul Hossain attended the programme, chaired by NLASO DG Monjurul Hossain. Representatives from various human rights organisations, including BLAST, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) and UNDP, also took part in the open discussion. The minister further said the government aims to ensure legal aid services reach grassroots people. “Our goals and objectives are the same,” he said, emphasising collaboration between government and non-government initiatives to support the poor, helpless and marginalised. On anti-discrimination laws, he said, “If there are any discriminatory provisions in laws, we will try to remove them. We want to work in a parallel manner.”

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.