Ramisa rape and murder case: Court to decide on charges against Sohel, wife today

A Dhaka court is set to hold a charge-framing hearing today (June 1) in the rape and murder case of eight-year-old Ramisa, paving the way for the formal trial to begin in one of the country's most widely discussed child abuse cases.

Judge Masrur Salekin of the Dhaka Metropolitan Child Abuse Prevention Tribunal fixed the date on May 24 after taking cognizance of the charge sheet filed by police.

Investigating Officer Sub-Inspector Ahiduzzaman Bhuiyan of Pallabi Police Station submitted the charge sheet against the prime accused, Sohel Rana, and his wife, Swapna Akter. The charge sheet was later accepted by the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka, which transferred the case to the Child Abuse Prevention Tribunal for trial.

Investigators have accused prime suspect Sohel Rana of rape and murder, while his wife, Swapna Akter, has been charged with assisting in the crime. The charge sheet was prepared based on DNA evidence, autopsy findings and other forensic materials.

Both accused were produced before the court from jail custody in this morning.

The case stems from the brutal killing of Ramisa, whose dismembered body was recovered from a flat in Pallabi on May 19. Sohel Rana was arrested later that day from Narayanganj, while his wife was detained at the scene.

On May 20, Sohel Rana gave a confessional statement before a Dhaka court, admitting to raping and killing the child, according to case documents.

The victim's father filed the case with Pallabi Police Station, and the investigation was completed within days amid nationwide outrage over the incident.