The trial in the rape and murder case of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter advanced significantly on Tuesday as a Dhaka court recorded testimonies from 16 of the 18 prosecution witnesses in a single day, paving the way for the next phase of legal proceedings.
Judge Masrur Saleqin of the Dhaka Metropolitan Child Repression Prevention Tribunal oversaw the testimony proceedings, which continued throughout the day. Following the completion of witness examinations, the court scheduled Wednesday for the presentation of arguments by the defence.
Among those who testified were Ramisa’s parents, Abdul Hannan Molla and Parveen Akter, along with her elder sister Raisa Akter. Other witnesses included relatives, neighbours, and law enforcement personnel connected to the investigation. State-appointed defence lawyer Musa Kalimullah cross-examined the witnesses during the hearing.
The case stems from the brutal killing of Ramisa, a second-grade student of Popular Model High School, who went missing on 19 May. According to case documents, the child was allegedly lured into the apartment of the prime accused, Sohel Rana, who lived next door to her family in Mirpur.
After an extensive search, Ramisa’s parents discovered her shoes outside the accused’s flat. When repeated attempts to get a response from inside failed, family members and neighbours forced open the door.
Inside, they found the child's body and immediately alerted police. Investigators later detained Sohel Rana’s wife, Swapna Akter, at the scene, while Sohel was subsequently arrested in Narayanganj.
A case was filed by Ramisa’s father the following day. On 20 May, Sohel Rana reportedly gave a confessional statement before a court, admitting to sexually assaulting and killing the child.
With witness testimony largely completed, the case is now entering a crucial stage as the court prepares to hear the defence's arguments before further proceedings.
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