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Published : 07 Jun 2026, 01:08 AM
The verdict in the rape and murder of 8-year-old Ramisa Akter in Dhaka's Pallabi will be announced on Sunday, marking the quickest murder trial in Bangladesh's history.
The verdict comes within five working days from the start of the trial.
However, there is an earlier precedent of resolving a drug case in three working days.
The fastest rape trial yet was over the rape and murder 8-year-old Asiya, identified by a single name, which was completed in 14 days last year in Magura.
The convict was handed the death penalty.
In Ramisa's case, her family expects the toughest punishment for the convicts.
Ramisa’s father Abdul Hannan Mollah said, "The number of rapes cases has increased recently. The government should look into the matter. It should enact laws so the cases are resolved at the earliest."
Public prosecutor Azizur Rahman Dulu echoed Hannan’s sentiment while defence lawyer Musa Kalimuliah said, "I pray for justice for the suspects."
How Things Unfolded
On May 19, police recovered Ramisa’s body from a flat in Pallabi.
Investigators said the child was killed that morning, after which the prime suspect Sohel Rana allegedly dismembered the body before fleeing.
Police apprehended Sohel’s wife Swapna Akhter from the flat, while Sohel was detained from Narayanganj’s Fatullah the same evening.
He later confessed in court, according to police records.
Hannan filed a case with Pallabi Police on the day of the incident.
The investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Ohiduzzaman of Pallabi Police, submitted the chargesheet against the suspects on May 24, after which the case was transferred to the tribunal for trial.
After Eid holidays, Judge Masrur Salekin ordered the case to proceed to trial after framing charges against Sohel and Swapna on Jun 1.
The next day, the witness deposition was completed. The court heard statements from 16 of 17 state witnesses, including Ramisa’s family members, neighbours, and police officers.
During the defence hearing on Jun 3, Swapna pleaded not guilty and sought justice.
Sohel apologised and told the judge, “Sir, I’m innocent. I want an acquittal. Please forgive me.”
After the defence hearing, the date for the presentation of arguments was set for Jun 4, when Public Prosecutor Dulu claimed that the charges against the suspects were substantiated and sought the maximum sentence.
State-appointed defence lawyer Musa Kalimuliah pleaded for a “lighter” sentence for his clients.
After the arguments on Thursday, the court set the date for the verdict on Sunday.
