Ramisa rape-murder trial: Tribunal warns against publishing accused's statements made outside courtroom

A tribunal in Dhaka has ordered that accused persons in custody must not make statements outside court proceedings and that such remarks should not be broadcast or published. 

Judge Masrur Saleqin of the Dhaka Metropolitan Child Violence Prevention Tribunal issued the order today (2 June) following a request from the state. 

The directive came ahead of the start of witness testimony in the case involving the rape and murder of a child, Ramisa Akter, in the Pallabi area of Mirpur, Dhaka. 

Earlier, Special Public Prosecutor Azizur Rahman Dulu, appointed to conduct the case on behalf of the state, asked the court to instruct relevant authorities to prevent the accused from speaking outside the courtroom and to stop the dissemination of such remarks. 

He argued that, under the law, an accused person does not have the authority to make statements while in police custody except before a judge. 

The High Court has already issued clear guidance on the matter, he told the tribunal.

Azizur said, "Broadcasting statements made by individuals in police custody or by convicted persons constitutes a punishable offence under directives issued by Bangladesh's highest court and relevant state authorities."

He said the restrictions are necessary to protect the integrity of judicial proceedings, prevent undue influence on public opinion and safeguard national security. 

In the interest of protecting the transparency of the judicial process, preventing public opinion from being influenced and ensuring national security, he sought instructions for the police to take action so that accused persons do not speak to anyone in public in the future.

The court accepted the application and instructed the relevant authorities to take necessary measures. 

Today, witness testimony in the trial began with a statement from the plaintiff, Abdul Hannan Molla, the victim's father, followed by the victim's mother, Parveen Akter.

Musa Kalimullah, the state-appointed defence lawyer, cross-examined them.