Law Minister hails verdict with happiness 

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Sunday hailed with happiness the verdict delivered in the widely discussed Pallabi child rape and murder case, saying the government had completed the trial process by following all legal procedures and hoped the judgement would withstand scrutiny in the High Court Division.

Attorney General Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal described the verdict as a milestone in the country's judicial process, stating that the state had fulfilled its commitment to ensuring a speedy trial.

The remarks came after Judge Masrur Salekin of the Dhaka Metropolitan Child Violence Prevention Tribunal sentenced principal accused Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akhter to death.

 The court also fined Sohel Rana Tk 5 lakh and Swapna Akhter Tk 2 lakh. It further ordered that if the compensation is not paid, the movable and immovable properties of the convicts be auctioned and the proceeds handed over to the victim's legal heirs.

The verdict was delivered around 1215pm on Sunday, just 17 days after the case entered the judicial process.

Reacting to the judgement, the Law Minister said, "We have completed the trial process within six working days, following every step of the law. We are currently satisfied with the sentence announced in the trial. I hope that this verdict will be effective even if it goes to the High Court."

He claimed that this was the first time in Bangladesh's history that such a trial had been completed within six working days.

Calling the incident "a very sad and painful" tragedy, Asaduzzaman said the government moved swiftly after the crime. "We were able to complete the investigation and submit the charge sheet on the incident of May 19 by May 24," he said, adding that despite public holidays and the scheduled court recess, the judicial process continued uninterrupted.

The minister said the Chief Justice approved a proposal exempting children's tribunals from the vacation period between 1 and 15 June, allowing proceedings to continue. He added that after the charge sheet was submitted on 24 May, the tribunal fixed 1 June for charge framing.

Referring to concerns over fair trial standards, he said the state appointed a lawyer for the accused after no private counsel came forward. "In cases where the death penalty is involved, the law requires that the accused be provided legal representation. We specifically appointed a lawyer so that there would be no question regarding justice," he said.

According to the minister, charges were framed on 1 June, testimony was recorded the following day and both prosecution and defence arguments were subsequently heard before the court delivered its verdict.