Ramisa verdict: Court says child brutality raises questions over justice system

Observing that crimes against children of such brutality raise serious questions about the effectiveness of the state's justice system, a Dhaka court on Sunday sentenced Sohel Rana and his wife, Swapna Khatun, to death in the rape and murder case of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter in Pallabi.

Judge Masrur Salekin of the Children Violence Suppression Tribunal in Dhaka Metropolitan delivered the verdict on Sunday.

The judge in the observation of the verdict said the case represented a difficult test of society's conscience, humanity and commitment to the rule of law.

The verdict came just 19 days after the crime, marking one of the fastest trials in recent years.

Under Section 9(2) of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, the court awarded the maximum punishment—death penalty—to the convicts.

In addition to the sentence, Sohel was fined Tk 500,000, while Swapna was fined Tk 200,000.

The court ordered that the compensation be paid to the legal heirs of victim Ramisa. If the compensation is not paid, the court directed that the convicts’ movable and immovable properties be auctioned and the proceeds handed over to the deceased victim’s legal heirs.

The court began reading out the verdict at 11:00 am and ended at 11: 41 am on the day.

In his observations, the judge said “This case concerning the rape and murder of child Ramisa is not merely a criminal judicial proceeding; it is a profound and difficult test of our society’s conscience, humanity, law enforcement system, and commitment to the rule of law. Every page of this case, filed over the allegation of brutally extinguishing the life of an innocent child, is filled with pain, outrage, concern, and the expectation of justice. Ensuring the safety, dignity, and protection of children is one of the fundamental responsibilities of a civilized and humane state.”

He further observed: “When a child becomes the victim of a heinous crime such as sexual abuse, violence, or murder, it not only devastates a family but deeply wounds society as a whole and calls into question the effectiveness of the state’s justice system.”

The judge also said  “This tribunal, established under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, is currently handling more than 1,800 pending cases, each involving violence against children, sexual abuse, physical abuse, or other serious crimes. Behind every case lies the unbearable suffering of a child, the anguish of a family, and the hopes of countless people awaiting justice.

Against this backdrop, Ramisa’s case carries particular significance because the investigation, judicial proceedings, and witness examination process were completed comparatively swiftly.

The tribunal has noted with satisfaction that the investigating agency completed the investigation and submitted its report to the court within a very short period. Likewise, the prosecution played a vital role in advancing the trial efficiently by presenting all key witnesses before the court within a limited timeframe.

Such sincerity and professionalism on the part of the investigating officer, prosecution, and all those involved in the judicial process deserve commendation.

The court also expects that the swift, efficient, impartial, and quality investigation and trial conducted in Ramisa’s case will serve as a model for handling other cases involving violence and abuse against children in the future.

The court further expects that all relevant authorities will demonstrate the same level of dedication, efficiency, and responsibility so that litigants, particularly child victims and their families, are not subjected to unnecessary delays and uncertainty. A fair trial cannot be achieved through the efforts of the court alone. Rather, justice is attained through the collective and responsible participation of investigating agencies, prosecutors, defence counsel, witnesses, and all stakeholders in the justice system.

The judge also said “The duty of the court is not to act on emotion, but to uncover the truth based on law, evidence, and the enduring principles of justice. Therefore, this court has delivered its verdict after carefully, sensitively, and impartially reviewing the testimony, evidence, exhibits, medical reports, and the overall circumstances of the case in order to ensure justice.”

Earlier in the day, under tight security, Swapna Akter, wife of accused Sohel, was brought to court at around 8:30 am. At 8:50 am, the principal accused, Sohel Rana, was brought from prison in a prison van. They were taken to the holding cell of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court. Both were later produced before the tribunal ahead of the verdict.

Security was tightened around the court premises in connection with the verdict. In addition to extra police deployment, members of various intelligence agencies were also seen operating in plain clothes.

The widely discussed rape and murder took place in Pallabi on the morning of May 19. At 12:05 am on May 20 (late night of May 19), the victim’s father filed a case with Pallabi Police Station. The case accused Sohel Rana and his wife, Swapna Khatun, of raping the victim, causing her death, and assisting in concealing the body.

Police immediately launched an investigation. Just four days after the incident, on May 24, the investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Ahiduzzaman of Pallabi Police Station, submitted the charge sheet. A total of 18 witnesses were listed in the charge sheet.

Earlier, on June 4, after hearing closing arguments from both the prosecution and defence, the court fixed June 7 for delivering the verdict.

As a result, the trial reached its conclusion in a record 19 days after the crime.

On June 1, charges were formally framed against Sohel and his wife Swapna, and the trial officially began. Witness testimony commenced on June 2. On that day, the court completed the examination and cross-examination of 16 out of 18 witnesses. During the defence hearing on June 3, both accused claimed they were innocent.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), Ramisa, a second-grade student of Popular Model High School, left her home at around 9:30 am on May 19. At that time, Swapna allegedly lured her into their apartment.

At around 10:30 am, Ramisa’s mother began searching for her as it was time for school. She eventually noticed her daughter’s shoes outside Sohel’s apartment door.

After receiving no response despite repeated calls, Ramisa’s parents and other residents broke open the door and entered the flat, where the child’s body was discovered.

Police later arrived at the scene after receiving a call through the national emergency service 999 and took Swapna into custody. Using information technology-based tracking, law enforcement officers later arrested Sohel Rana in front of Fatullah Police Station in Narayanganj.

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