Ramisa murder verdict will hopefully be upheld by higher court: Law Minister

The trial court has sentenced prime accused Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Khatun to death for raping and murdering eight-year-old Ramisa Akter in Pallabi, Dhaka. Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman has expressed hope that the verdict will be upheld by the higher court.

Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat after the verdict on Sunday, June 7, the minister said every legal step was followed before the verdict was delivered. "We are all satisfied with the verdict. I hope the higher court will uphold it."

Regarding execution of the sentence, the minister said if the convicts appeal to the higher court, the government will take steps according to legal procedures. The sentence could be executed within three months after all legal processes are completed.

He said the swift verdict in such an inhuman case will remain a milestone in the country. He also informed that high-profile child murder and violence cases, including those of Ramisa, Ashiya, Rajon and Rakib, will now be expedited for speedy disposal in the higher court.

Earlier on Sunday, Dhaka Metropolitan Children Violence Suppression Tribunal Judge Masrur Salekin delivered the historic verdict in the presence of the accused. The death sentence was handed down under Section 9(2) of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. Sohel Rana was fined Tk 5 lakh and Swapna Khatun Tk 2 lakh, with the entire amount to be given to Ramisa's legal heirs.

"If the accused fail to pay the compensation, their movable and immovable property will be auctioned and the proceeds given to Ramisa's family," the court ordered.

Reading the verdict, the judge observed that rape wounds not just families but the heart of society. The post-mortem report clearly proved that Ramisa was raped before being murdered, and the confessional statement of prime accused Sohel Rana was fully corroborated.