Witness testimony ends, accused deny charges

 
The trial in the rape and murder case of eight-year-old Ramisa has entered its final stage, with the two accused denying the charges against them before a Dhaka court.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Child Violence Prevention Tribunal on Wednesday recorded statements from Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter under Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure after the completion of witness testimony.

Judge Masrur Saleqin earlier recorded statements from 16 of the 18 charge-sheeted witnesses, including the victim's parents and relatives, neighbours, police officials, the autopsy doctor, the magistrate who recorded the confessional statement and the investigating officer. Defence lawyers cross-examined the witnesses during the proceedings.

Both accused pleaded not guilty and sought acquittal. Sohel Rana denied the allegations and claimed that his wife was not involved in the incident, while Swapna Akter also rejected the charges against her.