HC orders state defence for death-row convicts in Ramisa murder case

The High Court has directed the appointment of state defence lawyers for Sohel Rana and Swapna Akter, the two death-row convicts in the sensational case of the rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa in the capital's Pallabi area.

The order was issued on Tuesday, June 16, by a High Court bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakraborty and Justice K M Rasheduzzaman Raja. The case is currently listed for hearing before this bench.

According to court sources, the paperbook containing all case documents has been prepared to facilitate the hearing of the death reference (confirmation of death sentence) and jail appeal of the convicted accused. After the paperbook was prepared by the BG Press and sent to the Supreme Court, the verification process is now ongoing. The final hearing of this high-profile case before a special High Court bench could begin any day.

Earlier on June 7, the lower court sentenced Sohel Rana and Swapna Akter to death for the brutal torture and murder of the eight-year-old girl in Pallabi. Following legal procedures, the death reference was sent to the High Court on June 9. As the accused did not have their own lawyers, the High Court today directed the appointment of state defence lawyers for them at government expense.