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Published : 21 May 2026, 03:54 PM
Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman says that if a precedent is not set in handling the brutal rape and murder of Ramisa Akter in Dhaka’s Pallabi, it will send a “bad message” to society.
After taking the seriousness of the incident into consideration, the minister has ordered the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner to submit the investigation report in the case within a next week.
“This is a painful matter. A very, very painful matter. We will do everything we can to complete this trial quickly,” he told reporters at the Secretariat on Thursday morning.
“The first thing I did when I came to the office [on Thursday] was to telephone the police commissioner and ask him to arrange for the investigation report in this case to be completed as soon as possible - within a week. He agreed with me.
“A short while ago, I spoke to the home secretary. We are giving it the utmost importance.
He said, “The only answer to the despair expressed by Ramisa’s father is for us to complete this trial process as quickly as can be expected. That will be our answer.”
Asaduzzaman said, “What happened to Ramisa is very damaging and sad for our society and illustrates how infested it has become. Whether it is the case of Asia in Magura or Ramisa in Dhaka – it all calls our humanity into question.”
Clarifying the government’s strict stance on this brutal crime, he said: “We will not allow such crimes to go unchallenged in any way. We will do whatever we need to do to speed up the trial process.”
Citing previous precedents regarding swift trials, the minister said: “Previously, we had filed a chargesheet in the Asia murder case in Magura in a record seven days and the trial was completed in just one month.
“In consideration of the importance of the case, the trial should be brought forward. I hope that we will be able to complete the trial of the Ramisa incident in the same way, as soon as possible.”
Stating that case would be tried at the Women and Child Abuse Prevention Tribunal, Asaduzzaman said: “It is the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the judiciary to carry out the trial - we cannot interfere in the trial process.
“However, the government will provide all necessary cooperation and appropriate initiatives to the court so that this trial is completed as soon as possible.”
The law minister also spoke about the ongoing process of withdrawing cases filed for political purposes.
He said, “Regarding the withdrawal of political cases, cases of rape or such serious criminal offenses will not be considered under any circumstances. There is no compromise on this issue.”
Police recovered the mutilated body of 7-year-old Ramisa from a flat in the capital's Pallabi on Tuesday morning.
The prime suspect, neighbour and tenant Sohel Rana, has been arrested and has already confessed to the rape and murder to the court under Section 164.
