Ramisa murder case: 72-page document including death reference sent to High Court

The tribunal that sentenced two convicts to death in the widely discussed Ramisa Akter rape and murder case has sent the 72-page death reference and full verdict to the High Court for approval.

Judge Masrur Saleqin of the Dhaka Metropolitan Child Violence Suppression Tribunal ordered to send the documents today (9 June).

The court's bench assistant, Pankaj Peter Gomes, confirmed the matter, saying the documents sent to the High Court include a 69-page full verdict and a three-page death reference.

On 7 June, the same tribunal sentenced the main accused, Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter, to death for the rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa. Following the verdict, both convicts were sent to the condemned cell.

The tribunal also fined Sohel Rana Tk5,00,000 and Swapna Akter Tk2,00,000. The court ordered that if the fines are not paid voluntarily, their assets be confiscated and sold, with the proceeds handed over to Ramisa's family.

The case drew nationwide attention after the tribunal completed the trial in just five working days, the fastest such disposal in the country's judicial history.

According to the prosecution, Ramisa, a second-grade student of Popular Model High School, left her home in Pallabi on the morning of 19 May. Prosecutors alleged that Swapna lured the child into her flat, where Sohel Rana raped and murdered her.

When family members searched for the child, they found her shoes outside the accused's apartment. After breaking open the door, they discovered her decapitated body inside the bedroom, while her severed head was found in a large bucket.

Ramisa's father, Abdul Hannan Molla, filed a case with Pallabi Police Station on the same day, accusing Sohel Rana and Swapna Akter.

Police first arrested Swapna, followed by Sohel Rana from Narayanganj's Fatullah area. On 20 May, Sohel confessed to the crime before a court.

The investigation officer submitted the charge sheet on 24 May, and the case was transferred to the Child Violence Suppression Tribunal for trial. Charges were framed on 1 June, and testimony from 16 witnesses, including family members, doctors, a magistrate and the investigating officer, was recorded the following day.

On 3 June, the accused were allowed to defend themselves. Sohel admitted his guilt and sought mercy, while Swapna claimed innocence.

After hearing final arguments on 4 June, the tribunal delivered its verdict on 7 June, just 19 days after the murder and four days after the conclusion of trial proceedings.