Dhaka: Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the trial in the rape and murder case of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter is anticipated to be resolved within five to seven days. This statement was made during a dialogue organized by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the Home Minister highlighted the broader societal issues contributing to such crimes, citing a degradation of social values and the influence of negative cultural practices. He emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring swift legal action and justice, stressing that the arrest of those accused in such incidents is a primary focus, with recent cases showing timely interventions.
The minister detailed the rapid progress in the Ramisa case, noting that the accused, Sohel Rana, was arrested within seven hours of the incident. Rana reportedly provided a confessional statement under Section 164 before a court within a day, which led to the arrest of his alleged accomplice, his wife. The DNA test and post-mortem report were completed swiftly, allowing the charge sheet to be finalized in a timely manner.
A special public prosecutor has been appointed to oversee the case, and the Chief Justice is considering the cancellation of court vacations to expedite proceedings in the special tribunal as the Law Ministry manages the legal proceedings.
Ramisa Akter, the daughter of Abdul Hannan Molla, was reportedly lured into a neighboring flat by Sohel Rana, where she was raped and murdered. The gruesome nature of the crime was underscored by the discovery of Ramisa's decapitated body underneath a bed and her severed head hidden in a bathroom bucket.
The dialogue was presided over by BSRF President Masudul Haque, with Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed and General Secretary Ubaidullah Badal also present at the event.