Ramisa murder trial likely to begin after Eid: Law minister
Chargesheet to follow DNA report
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Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman has said the chargesheet in the rape and murder case of Ramisa Akter will be submitted once the DNA report is received, with the trial expected to begin right after Eid-ul-Adha.
He said on Saturday that while DNA reports typically take several weeks or even months to process, authorities are treating this case with “top priority” and expect the results within 72 hours, bdnews24.com reports.
"Government offices close from the 25th of May. If we get the DNA report before that, and given the pace of the investigation, we hope to file the chargesheet before Eid.”
“After Eid, we will take all necessary steps to begin the trial process immediately and show every bit of diligence from the prosecution's side. People at home and abroad expect this case to be concluded, and we hope to meet that expectation," he added.
The minister had previously said on Thursday that the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner had been directed to submit the investigation report within one week given the gravity of the case.
Asked on Saturday how soon the chargesheet could be filed and how long the trial might take, he pointed to the Magura child murder case as a benchmark.
"We are committed. The prime minister has also said we will do this as fast as possible. The Magura case, I believe, was concluded within about a month of the chargesheet being filed. We do not think it should take that long in this case either," he added.
He also explained why the DNA report is essential before filing the chargesheet.
"If the police file a chargesheet without a DNA test, anyone could argue that since a Section 164 confession has been recorded, what is the use of a DNA test now.
“In these types of cases, DNA is a very important piece of evidence. When we have the facility to conduct a DNA test, why shouldn't we do it?"
Ramisa, a 7-year-old girl, was found raped and brutally murdered in a flat in Dhaka’s Pallabi on May 19.
Prime suspect and neighbouring tenant Sohel Rana has been arrested and has already confessed in court to raping and then killing the child, according to police.