Ramisa rape and murder: Law minister orders probe report within a week

Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman today (21 May) said he has instructed the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner to submit the investigation report within the next week.

Considering the gravity of the incident, he said failure to set an example through the trial over the rape and brutal murder of Ramisa in the capital's Pallabi area would send a "wrong message" to society.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat this morning, the law minister said the government would do everything possible to ensure the trial process is completed swiftly.

"This is painful, extremely painful. From our side, we will do everything possible to expedite the trial process," he said.

Asaduzzaman said the first thing he did after arriving at his office was to call the police commissioner and ask him to arrange submission of the investigation report within a week.

"He agreed with me. I also spoke to the home secretary a short while ago. We are giving this matter the highest importance," he said.

Referring to the victim's father expressing frustration over the incident, the minister said the only answer to that despair would be ensuring justice through the fastest possible legal process.

Calling the incident deeply disturbing, he said, "What happened to Ramisa is extremely harmful and tragic for our society. It reflects a morally decaying society. Whether it is Magura's Asiya or Dhaka's Ramisa, such incidents question our humanity."

The minister also said the government would not allow such crimes to go "unchallenged" and would take all necessary measures to speed up the trial.

Citing a previous case, he said the charge sheet in the murder case of Asiya in Magura had been submitted within a record seven days, while the trial concluded within one month.

"Considering the importance of the case, the judicial process should move forward quickly. I hope we will be able to complete the trial in Ramisa's case in the shortest possible time as well," he added.

The minister said the case would be tried under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal.

He also clarified that while the government cannot interfere in judicial proceedings, it would provide all necessary cooperation to ensure the trial is completed quickly.

Referring to the ongoing process of withdrawing politically motivated cases, Asaduzzaman said under no circumstances would rape or other serious criminal cases be considered for withdrawal.

Police recovered the mutilated body of eight-year-old Ramisa from a flat in Pallabi on Tuesday morning. The prime suspect, tenant Sohel Rana, has already been arrested.

According to police, the accused gave a confessional statement under Section 164 before the court, admitting to raping and killing the child.