Death Penalty for Couple in Pallabi Child Murder Case

A Dhaka court has sentenced Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akhter to death for the rape and brutal murder of eight-year-old Ramisa Akhter in Mirpur’s Pallabi.

Judge Masrur Salekin of the Dhaka Metropolitan Child Violence Prevention Tribunal delivered the verdict on Sunday (June 7) in the presence of the accused, who were brought to the court under tight security.

The trial marks a notable milestone in Bangladesh's judicial history due to its unprecedented speed. The entire legal process—including the investigation report, formal charge sheet, witness testimonies, cross-examinations, and final arguments—was completed in a record 16 days.

The crime occurred on the morning of May 19 inside the flat of the accused, who were neighbors of the victim's family. Following the discovery of the body, Ramisa's father, Abdul Hannan Mollah, filed a case at Pallabi Police Station accusing the couple of rape, murder, and attempting to conceal the body.

During the speedy trial process, the tribunal recorded testimonies from 16 of the 18 witnesses listed in the charge sheet. Witnesses included the victim's parents, her elder sister (who testified in camera), relatives, neighbors, and law enforcement officials. The defense was represented by state-appointed lawyer Musa Kalimullah. Courtroom proceedings were highly emotional as the harrowing details of the crime were presented into evidence.

Clinical testimonies confirmed the severity of the violence. Sub-Inspector Md. Iqbal Hossain, who prepared the initial inquest report, stated that the child was found gagged and severely mutilated, with her severed head hidden in a bucket of water.

Dr. Nasad Jabin, Assistant Professor of Forensic Medicine at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, presented the autopsy findings. The report confirmed that Ramisa suffered multiple fractures and sharp force injuries. The official cause of death was decapitation, and forensic DNA tests confirmed she was sexually assaulted prior to being murdered.

Investigating Officer SI Ahiduzzaman testified that immediately following the crime, the perpetrators locked themselves inside their flat. While neighbors and the victim’s mother pleaded outside the door for them to open it, the couple actively attempted to destroy forensic evidence by washing away the blood and dismembering the body.

The state successfully argued that the irrefutable forensic evidence, witness testimonies, and the deliberate attempt to destroy evidence warranted the maximum possible punishment under the law.