Dhaka: The Dhaka Metropolitan Children’s Violence Suppression Tribunal today convicted Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter, sentencing them to death in the child Ramisa rape and murder case, marking one of the fastest resolutions of such a major case in the country’s judicial history. Judge Masrur Salekin of the tribunal announced the verdict, starting proceedings at 11:00 am and reading out the judgment swiftly.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the tribunal delivered the death penalty by 11:37 am for the heinous crimes committed by the duo. In addition to the death sentence, the court also imposed a fine of Taka five lakh on Sohel Rana and Taka two lakh on Swapna Akter. The accused were brought to the court separately under tight security, with heightened police presence to ensure safety around the premises.
The legal proceedings moved quickly, as the charges were framed against Sohel Rana and Swapna Akter on June 1, with arguments concluded by June 4, allowing the tribunal to deliver the verdict within a week. The crime, which shocked the nation, involved the rape and murder of Ramisa, a young student from Popular Model High School, who was found dead in the Millat Camp area of Pallabi on May 19. Her father filed the case the next day, sparking a swift judicial response.
On May 23, the government appointed Advocate Azizur Rahman Dulu as the special public prosecutor, while Advocate Musa Kalimullah was assigned as the state defense counsel. The police promptly submitted a charge sheet on May 24, leading to the expedited legal processes that followed. The tribunal recorded witness depositions in a single day on June 2, with 16 out of 18 witnesses, including Ramisa’s family members and neighbors, testifying and being cross-examined.
During the trial, Sohel Rana pleaded for mercy, while Swapna Akter maintained her innocence, praying for justice during their self-defense statements on June 3. The prosecution, however, sought the maximum punishment, which the tribunal ultimately granted in today’s verdict.