Sohel, Swapna produced before court as Ramisa murder verdict looms

Two accused, Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter, in the sensational Pallabi child rape and murder case were produced before a Dhaka court on Sunday as the tribunal prepared to deliver its verdict just 19 days after the incident.

Sohel Rana and Swapna were brought from prison to the Dhaka Metropolitan Court complex around 8:45AM and kept in the court lock-up ahead of the judgment. Tight security measures were put in place in and around the court premises, with additional police deployed to maintain law and order.

The verdict is scheduled to be delivered by the Dhaka Metropolitan Tribunal for the Suppression of Violence Against Children, presided over by Judge Masrur Saleqin. The date was fixed on Thursday after both the prosecution and defence concluded their arguments.

Special Public Prosecutor Azizur Rahman Dulu said the prosecution had successfully established the charges against the accused through witness testimonies and evidence. He expressed hope that the tribunal would award the maximum punishment.

Defence counsel Musa Kalimullah, appointed by the state, argued that the prosecution had failed to prove the allegations and sought justice for the accused.

According to investigators, the body of the schoolgirl was recovered from a flat at Block-B of Section-11 in Pallabi on May 19. Police alleged that Sohel Rana, murdered the child by slitting her throat before fleeing. His wife was reportedly present in the apartment at the time of the incident and was later detained by police.

The victim's father subsequently filed a murder case with Pallabi Police Station, naming both Sohel and Swapna as accused. Sohel was later arrested from Fatullah in Narayanganj. Police said he confessed to the killing in a statement before a court.

The investigation was completed within five days, and the charge sheet was submitted on May 24 by the case's investigating officer, SI Ahiduzzaman of Pallabi Police Station. On the same day, the case was transferred to the tribunal for a speedy trial.

The court framed charges against the accused on June 1 and formally began proceedings. Testimonies and cross-examinations of 16 witnesses were completed in a single day. Following the recording of defence statements and final arguments, the case was set for verdict.

TZ