Dhaka: A special tribunal in Dhaka has set Sunday, June 7, as the date for delivering its verdict in the high-profile case concerning the rape and murder of Ramisa Akter, a second-grade student, in the city's Pallabi area last month. This decision comes after the prosecution and defense completed their closing arguments in the Dhaka Metropolitan Children's Violence Suppression Tribunal.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the tribunal's judge, Masrur Salekin, announced the verdict date following the conclusion of the arguments. The prosecution, in its final submissions, called for the maximum penalty for the accused, Sohel Rana and his wife, Swapna Akter. Earlier, on June 3, both defendants provided their self-defense statements, with Rana seeking mercy and Akter professing her innocence, as confirmed by bench official Pankaj Peter Gomez.
The trial saw the tribunal recording testimonies from 16 out of 18 prosecution witnesses on June 2. Witnesses included family members of the victim, such as her father Abdul Hannan Mollah, and key figures such as doctors and police officers involved in the case. These testimonies were subjected to cross-examination by state-appointed defense counsel Musa Kalimullah. Charges were formally framed against the accused on June 1.
The case dates back to May 19, when Ramisa, a student of Popular Model High School, was allegedly raped and murdered by her neighbor, Sohel Rana, in his flat. Her father filed the case on May 20. In response to the crime, the government quickly appointed Advocate Azizur Rahman Dulu as the special public prosecutor to ensure a swift trial. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman promised that the maximum punishment for the perpetrators would be secured within a month, emphasizing the government's commitment to a speedy trial, as reiterated by Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman.
The police concluded their investigation by submitting a charge sheet on May 24, implicating Sohel Rana and his wife as the main defendants. On the same day, the government appointed Advocate Musa Kalimullah to represent the accused, ensuring a fair trial process before the newly established tribunal dedicated to addressing violence against children.