Accused Sohel Rana has told journalists that he was not solely responsible for the rape and murder of schoolgirl Ramisa Akter, alleging the involvement of a third person he referred to as “Dollar” and insisting that his wife had no role in the incident.
Speaking after a court hearing on Monday, 1 June, on the framing of charges, Sohel Rana said, "I am not the only one guilty; my wife is not involved. The blame lies with someone called Dollar. I only committed the rape, but Dollar killed her.”
He also claimed that he received 200,000 taka and alleged irregularities in the DNA testing process. He identified “Dollar” as a wealthy individual residing at House No. 11 in Mirpur but provided no further details.
Earlier in the day, Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter were produced before the Dhaka Metropolitan Children Violence Suppression Tribunal under Judge Masrur Salekin. They were brought to court from prison shortly after 11:00am after being held in the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Court lock-up.
Sohel Rana was brought from Keraniganj Central Jail, while Swapna Akter was escorted from Kashimpur Jail under police supervision.
On 24 May, investigating officer Sub-Inspector Ohiduzzaman of Pallabi Police Station submitted a charge sheet to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka against both accused. The report substantiated allegations of rape followed by murder against Sohel Rana and aiding the crime against Swapna Akter. A total of 18 witnesses have been listed.
The case was later transferred to the Dhaka Metropolitan Children Violence Suppression Tribunal, where the judge fixed Monday for the charge-framing hearing. Officials said key stages of the investigation, including DNA testing and submission of the charge sheet, have now been completed.
Public Prosecutor Azizur Rahman Dulu said the prosecution would seek a swift trial. He said the court would take final decisions on the pace of proceedings and declined to comment on any political assurances regarding expedited justice.
According to the case statement, Ramisa Akter, a second-grade student of Popular Model High School, went missing on 19 May at around 9:30am after leaving home. Investigators said she was allegedly lured to a flat by Swapna Akter.
Later, family members and neighbours forced entry into the residence and found the child’s decapitated body in a bedroom. Her severed head was recovered from a bucket in the bathroom.
Police later arrested Sohel Rana from Narayanganj after he allegedly fled the scene by cutting through a window grille. Both accused have given confessional statements and remain in custody as the trial process continues.
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