Govt appoints special public prosecutor to speed up Ramisa murder trial

A special public prosecutor (PP) has been appointed to speed up the trial of the reported murder and rape of 8-year-old Ramisa Akter in the capital's Pallabi as demands for a speedy trial grow.

The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs appointed lawyer Azizur Rahman Dulu to the post on Saturday.

Ramisa's dismembered body was recovered from a neighbour's house on May 19. Police said she was raped and killed.

Prime suspect and neighbouring tenant Sohel Rana was arrested after Ramisa’s father filed a case against Rana and his wife Swapna Akter.

Rana has already confessed in court to raping and then killing the child, according to police.

The incident has sparked nationwide outrage. Protests have been held in various places, including Dhaka, demanding a speedy trial.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the “maximum punishment” for the suspect will be ensured within the next month.

Prior to that, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said the chargesheet in the rape and murder case will be submitted once the DNA report is received, with the trial expected to begin right after Eid-ul-Azha.

Attesting to his appointment, Dulu told bdnews24.com: “Once the investigation report is submitted, the case will go from the CMM Court in Dhaka to the Dhaka Metropolitan Child Violence Prevention Tribunal.

"After the chargesheet is taken into consideration there, the suspects will be indicted. The main responsibility for me as a special PP is to ensure justice,” he said, pledging efforts to ensure the maximum punishment for those responsible.

Meanwhile, members of the Dhaka Bar Association have decided to completely withhold legal services from the defence side in the case.