Ramisa rape-murder case: Death reference of two convicts sent to HC

The death reference of Sohel Rana and Swapna Akter, the two convicts sentenced to death for the rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa in Pallabi, capital, has been sent to the High Court. The case has now entered the appellate stage for review.

The documents were sent after Dhaka Metropolitan Children Violence Suppression Tribunal Judge Masrur Salekin signed the verdict on Tuesday, June 9.

Under Bangladeshi law, a death sentence passed by a trial court requires confirmation from the High Court Division before execution. This process is called a death reference. The High Court can uphold, modify or overturn the death sentence after reviewing the case documents, evidence and overall circumstances.

The trial court had sentenced Sohel Rana and Swapna Akter to death after reviewing evidence, forensic reports and arguments, describing the crime as brutal and inhuman.

After the death reference reaches the High Court, the case will be listed for hearing. The convicts can also file jail appeals. The High Court will hear both the death reference and the appeal together before delivering a final decision.

The victim's family has expressed hope that the lower court's verdict will be upheld by the higher court.