State defence appointed for Ramisa rape, murder case appeals

The High Court (HC) has appointed a state defence counsel to represent the accused in the death reference and appeal hearings for the case involving the rape and murder of child Ramisa.

Supreme Court advocate Hafizur Rahman Khan, an expert in criminal law, has been appointed to handle the case for the convicts.

Additional Attorney General Advocate Abdul Jabbar Bhuiyan confirmed the appointment to the journalists today (25 June).

He said, "A few legal formalities are pending. The death reference and appeal hearings will commence in the High Court once these are completed."

Earlier, a High Court division bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja directed the solicitor to appoint state defence counsel.

Following the order, Hafizur Rahman Khan, a lawyer experienced in criminal law, was appointed to represent death-row convicts Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter in the proceedings.

On 19 May, the Dhaka Children Crime Prevention Tribunal sentenced both Sohel Rana and Swapna Akter to death for the rape and murder of child Ramisa. The tribunal found that Swapna had assisted her husband in committing the crime.

Judge Masrur Salekin sentenced both convicts to the death penalty, considering the gravity of the offence.

Following the verdict, the two convicts were sent to the condemnation cell, from where they later filed jail appeals challenging the judgment.