Abdul Hannan Molla father of eight-year-old Ramisa and the plaintiff in her rape and murder case, testified as the first witness at the Dhaka Metropolitan Child Violence Prevention Tribunal on Tuesday, June 2.
Overcome with emotion during his testimony, Molla fell ill in the dock and had to be seated to continue his statement regarding the Pallabi incident.
Recounting the morning of the crime, Molla stated he was commuting to his office in Kakoli when his wife, Parveen Akhter, called him urgently between 10:00 and 10:15 a.m., pleading with him to return home.
"It took me 25 to 30 minutes to get back," Molla told the court. "When I arrived, people were gathered outside our flat. I ran upstairs and found my wife desperately knocking on the door of the neighboring flat, but no one was answering."
Molla explained that after failing to get a response, he used a hammer to break the lock. Upon entering the neighbor's flat, he testified to finding blood on the floor in front of the toilet.
During the hearing, Molla confirmed he had no prior acquaintance with the suspect. "I have never seen the accused in my life," he stated.
Following his testimony and cross-examination by state and defense attorneys, the court proceeded with the next witness. According to court sources, 17 witnesses will testify in stages as the judicial proceedings continue.
