Dhaka, Jun 02 (V7N) — The testimony of Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akhter, the two accused in the sensational murder case of eight-year-old Ramisa Akhter in the capital’s Pallabi area, is set to begin on Tuesday.
The accused were produced before the court on Monday morning, where a hearing on charge framing was held at the Dhaka Metropolitan Child Violence Prevention Tribunal. The hearing took place in the courtroom of Judge Masrur Salekin.
During the proceedings, Special Public Prosecutor (PP) Azizur Rahman Dulu presented arguments in support of framing charges and described the details of the brutal killing before the court.
Earlier, on May 24, the court took cognizance of the charge sheet submitted against Sohel Rana and Swapna Akhter. The prosecution has listed 18 witnesses in the case.
Authorities have expressed their intention to complete the trial on a priority basis and secure a verdict within a month.
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, PP Azizur Rahman Dulu said the prosecution has petitioned the court to award the maximum punishment to the accused. He also noted that there is little scope for delaying the trial, as the accused have already provided confessional statements under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
The case sparked nationwide outrage after police recovered the body of Ramisa Akhter from a residence in Pallabi on May 19. The following day, law enforcement arrested the prime accused, Sohel Rana, from Narayanganj.
Following his arrest, Sohel Rana gave a confessional statement before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The court subsequently ordered that both accused be sent to jail pending trial.
The murder of the young child has drawn widespread public attention, with many demanding swift justice and exemplary punishment for those responsible.
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