Two convicts sentenced to death for the rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter in the capital’s Pallabi area have filed jail appeals with the High Court challenging their convictions and sentences.
The appeals filed by Sohel Rana and Swapna Akter are scheduled to be heard on their admissibility before a High Court bench comprising Justice Mohammad Ali and Justice Md Saiful Islam on Sunday (14 June).
The development comes after the death reference, containing all relevant case documents, was forwarded to the High Court for mandatory review and approval of the death sentences.
On 7 June, Judge Masrur Salekin of the Dhaka Metropolitan Children Violence Suppression Tribunal sentenced both accused to death. The tribunal ordered that they be hanged until death under Section 368 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, subject to confirmation by the High Court Division in accordance with Section 374 of the Code.
The court also fined Sohel Rana Tk5 lakh and Swapna Akter Tk2 lakh. The fines are to be paid to Ramisa’s legal heirs.
The tribunal further directed that, if the fines remain unpaid, the authorities may seize and sell the convicts’ movable and immovable assets and transfer the proceeds to the victim’s family.
The judgment stated that the convicts are entitled to appeal before the High Court within the legally prescribed period under Section 28 of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000.
On 25 May, the investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Ahiduzzaman of Pallabi Police Station, submitted the charge sheet against Sohel Rana and his wife, Swapna Khatun. The case was then transferred to the tribunal for trial.
Formal proceedings began on 1 June with the framing of charges. The following day, 16 prosecution witnesses testified, concluding the evidentiary phase in a single day. The accused were examined under Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure on 3 June.
According to the prosecution, Ramisa was raped and murdered on 19 May. After the killing, Sohel Rana allegedly fled by cutting the grille of a window in the room. Police detained Swapna after receiving information through the national emergency service 999 and later arrested Sohel Rana in front of Fatullah Police Station in Narayanganj.
Ramisa’s father subsequently filed a case with Pallabi Police Station. On 21 May, Sohel Rana gave a confessional statement before a court under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Both accused were later sent to jail.
