Ramisa murder case: Death reference, appeals ready for High Court hearing

The death reference and appeals in the rape and murder case of child victim Ramisa are now ready for hearing before the High Court, with proceedings expected to begin after the hearings in two other high-profile murder cases are concluded.

Attorney General Ruhul Quddus Kajal confirmed the development on Wednesday (August 12), saying all preparations for the hearing had been completed.

A High Court bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja is expected to hear the case, he said.

The Ramisa case will be taken up after the High Court concludes hearings in the murder cases of Feni madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi and Magura child Ayesha.

The High Court had earlier ordered the appointment of state counsel for the two death-row convicts. Following the order, Supreme Court lawyer Hafizur Rahman Khan was appointed on June 25 to represent Sohel Rana and his wife, Swapna Akter.

According to the case records, Ramisa was raped and killed on May 19. Sohel Rana was accused of committing the crime, while his wife was charged with aiding him. Following trial, the Dhaka Children’s Court sentenced both to death, citing the gravity of the offence and their alleged involvement.

After the verdict, the convicts were placed in the condemned cells and later filed jail appeals challenging the sentence. The trial court also sent the case records to the High Court for mandatory confirmation of the death sentences, known as a death reference.

The High Court will now determine whether the death sentences should be upheld, reduced or otherwise altered following the hearing.