Testimony of Ramisa murder ends, self-defence hearing Wednesday

The testimony phase in eight-year-old Ramisa Akter rape and murder case concluded within a single day on Tuesday.

Out of 18 witnesses, 16 made their depositions against prime accused Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter before the Dhaka Metropolitan Children Violence Suppression Tribunal.

After recording the depositions of witnesses, Judge Masrur Salekin fixed Wednesday for the accused to present their self-defence statements.

State-appointed defence counsel Musa Kalimullah cross-examined the witnesses during the session, which started at 10:30am, said tribunal Bench Assistant Pankaj Peter Gomes.

Ramisa’s father Abdul Mannan Molla, who is also the plaintiff of the case, was the first to make his deposition, followed by her mother, elder sister and others, reports UNB.

On May 24, the Investigation Officer of the case Sub-Inspector Ohiduzzaman of Pallabi Police Station �" submitted the charge sheet before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court of Dhaka. Later, the case was transferred to the tribunal.

Ramisa Akter was raped and murdered allegedly by Sohel Rana, a tenant of a neighbouring flat, on May 19.

According to the case details, accused Sohel lured her into his room and later killed her after rape. Ramisa’s decapitated body was found beneath the bed while her severed head was found inside a bucket in the bathroom.

While Swapna Akter was detained from the scene, Sohel Rana managed to escape by cutting through a window grille.

He was tracked down and arrested by police later in Fatullah of Narayanganj.