Court records statements of 10 witnesses in Ramisa murder case

Ten witnesses, including the parents of an eight-year-old girl who was allegedly raped and brutally murdered in the capital's Pallabi area, testified before a court on Tuesday (June 2).

The testimonies were recorded at the Dhaka Child Violence Prevention Tribunal from the morning until around noon.

The case's principal accused are Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter. The tribunal formally began the trial on Monday after framing charges against the two accused and fixed Tuesday for the commencement of witness testimony.

The accused were brought from prison to the court lock-up in a prison van around 9am under tight security. Sohel Rana was produced in the dock at 10:12am, while Swapna Akter was brought before the court at 10:24am.

The victim's father was the first witness to testify. Due to illness, he was allowed by the court to give his testimony while seated. He answered various questions posed by the judge regarding the incident.

The victim's mother began her testimony around 11am.

The victim's elder sister also testified on Tuesday. Her testimony was recorded through a camera trial (closed-door proceeding) considering her age and circumstances. The victim's paternal aunt and uncle were among the other witnesses who testified during the day.

By 12:50pm, a total of 10 witnesses had testified in the case before the court adjourned for a recess.

According to court bench assistant Pankaj Peter Gomes, the tribunal on Monday ordered summonses to be issued to 17 witnesses.

He said the charge sheet originally listed 18 witnesses, but one individual's name appeared twice. As a result, summonses were issued to 17 witnesses.

Those summoned include complainant and victim's father Abdul Hannan Molla; inquest and seizure-list witness Mizanur Rahman Liton; eyewitnesses Sheikh Abu Sama, Monir Hossain, Mohammad Jakirul Islam Raju, Mahmuda Khatun, Moniruzzaman Shahin, and Parveen Akter; Sub-Inspector Rashedul Islam; Sharif Mia; Ruma Akter; Pallabi Police Station Sub-Inspector Iqbal Hossain; Assistant Sub-Inspector Ishaq Ali; forensic DNA expert Shubhajoy Baidya; and the case's investigating officer, Pallabi Police Station Sub-Inspector Md. Ohiduzzaman.