Ramisa rape-murder trial: Final hearing set for today

The tribunal is scheduled to hear final arguments from both the prosecution and the defence today (4 June) in the case over the rape and murder of child Ramisa Akter in Dhaka’s Pallabi.

Following the conclusion of the arguments, the court is expected to announce a date for the verdict.

The hearing will be held today (4 June) before the Dhaka Metropolitan Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal, presided over by Judge Masrur Salekin, in the presence of the accused.

Public Prosecutor Azizur Rahman Dulu will present arguments on behalf of the state, while State Defence Advocate Musa Kalimullah will argue for the defence.

Accused Sohel Rana was brought to Dhaka from Keraniganj Central Jail, while co-accused Swapna Akter was transported from Kashimpur Central Jail.

They have since been kept at the Dhaka Metropolitan Court lock-up and are scheduled to be produced before the tribunal around 11am, Bench Assistant Pankaj Peter Gomes confirmed.

Yesterday (3 June), during the hearing for the examination of the accused, prime accused Sohel Rana admitted his guilt and sought forgiveness.

The other accused, his wife Swapna Khatun, claimed innocence.

Earlier, on 24 May, the case’s investigating officer, SI Ahiduzzaman of Pallabi Police Station, submitted a chargesheet against Sohel Rana and Swapna Akter.

The chargesheet was later presented before the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ashraful Haque, who took cognisance of it and transferred the case to the Dhaka Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal for trial.

On the same day, Judge Masrur Saleqin accepted the chargesheet and fixed 1 June for the hearing on charge framing.