Tribunal concludes witness testimony in Ramisa Akter murder-rape case.
A special tribunal here today completed recording depositions of prosecution witnesses (PWs) in a case lodged over the rape and murder of second-grade student Ramisa Akter in the city's Pallabi area.
Sixteen out of the total 18 PWs testified and were subsequently cross-examined by the defence at the Dhaka Metropolitan Children's Violence Suppression Tribunal. Following the completion of PWs' testimonies, the tribunal fixed June 3 for the submission of the defence under Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Today, Ramisa's father and complainant Abdul Hannan Mollah, mother Pervin Akter, sister Raisa Akter, aunt Mahmuda Akter, uncles Mizanur Rahman Liton and Moniruzzaman Shahin, neighbours Monir Hossain, Zakirul Islam Raju and Sheikh Abu Sama, constables Roma Akter and Sharif Miah, sub-inspector Iqbal Hossain (who prepared the inquest report), Dr Nasad Jabin (who prepared the autopsy report), Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Aminul Islam Zunayed (who recorded the confessional statement of the alleged killer Sohel Rana), sub-inspector Rashedul Islam and investigation officer sub-inspector Wahiduzzaman appeared before the court and testified as prosecution witnesses. They were later cross-examined by state-appointed defence counsel Musa Kalimullah.
Judge Masrur Salekin of the Dhaka Metropolitan Children's Violence Suppression Tribunal later adjourned the hearing till tomorrow.
The tribunal on June 1 framed charges in the case.
Ramisa, a Class-II student of Popular Model High School, was raped and subsequently beheaded by her neighbour Sohel Rana at his flat in the Millat Camp area of Pallabi on May 19. Ramisa's father filed the case the following day.
The government on May 23 appointed Advocate Azizur Rahman Dulu as Special Public Prosecutor to conduct the trial on behalf of the state before the Dhaka Metropolitan Children's Violence Suppression Tribunal, a recently constituted tribunal dealing exclusively with cases of violence against children.
The appointment came shortly after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the maximum punishment for Ramisa's killer would be ensured within one month.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman also said the government is committed to ensuring a speedy trial in the Ramisa murder case.
Police on May 24 submitted a charge sheet against alleged rapist and killer Sohel Rana and his wife and alleged accomplice Swapna Akter.
Accepting the charge sheet, the tribunal on the same day fixed today for the charge-framing hearing.
The government later that day appointed Advocate Musa Kalimullah as state defence counsel to represent the accused before the tribunal.
A gazette notification issued by the Solicitor Wing of the Law and Justice Division said the state defence counsel has been appointed to conduct Case No. 35 of Pallabi Police Station on behalf of the accused.
