Ramisa rape-murder: Paperbook ready, HC hearing on death references likely to begin soon

The paperbook for the High Court hearing on the death references and jail appeals of Sohel Rana and his wife, Swapna Akter, sentenced to death for the rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter in Dhaka's Mirpur, has been prepared. 

The Supreme Court administration said today (16 June) that the case could now be placed before a special High Court bench for hearing at any time. 

Officials said the paperbook has been received from the government-run BG Press and is currently undergoing verification. 

A paperbook contains key case documents, including the first information report (FIR), charge sheet, witness testimonies and cross-examinations, post-mortem report, copies of trial court judgments and orders, as well as important evidence and seizure lists. 

The compilation helps High Court judges quickly review the details of a case and allows lawyers to easily refer to specific documents during hearings.

HC orders state-funded legal representation for convicts

The High Court has directed the government to appoint a state defence lawyer to represent Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter during the hearing of their jail appeals and the death reference in the rape and murder case of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter.

The court ordered the Solicitor Wing of the Ministry of Law to appoint a lawyer with expertise in criminal law to act as state defence for the two convicts, who were sentenced to death in the case.

A special High Court bench headed by Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty gave the order today (16 June).

The case has been included in the cause list of the special bench for hearing.

Earlier on 9 June, the death reference documents relating to the two convicts, Sohel and Swapna, were sent to the High Court after being signed by Judge Masrur Salekeen of the Dhaka Metropolitan Children Violence Prevention Tribunal. 

Both convicts subsequently filed jail appeals challenging the verdict. 

Under Bangladeshi law, any death sentence imposed in a criminal case must be approved by the High Court through a process known as a death reference. 

Earlier, on 7 June, the tribunal sentenced Sohel and Swapna to death for the rape and murder of Ramisa in Mirpur's Pallabi area. The verdict was delivered in the presence of the convicts. 

The court also fined Sohel Tk5 lakh and imposed a Tk2 lakh fine on Swapna. The compensation is to be paid to Ramisa's legal heirs. 

The court ordered that if the fines are not paid, the convicts' movable and immovable assets should be auctioned and the proceeds handed over to the victim's family. 

In its observations, the court said evidence showed that the child had been raped and suffered injuries before being killed. 

It also noted that Sohel had not sought to withdraw his confession, indicating that he had admitted guilt voluntarily. 

The court further observed that Swapna had helped her husband evade arrest and failed to take any action to prevent the crime.