Father Seeks Justice as Trial Begins in Ramisa Murder Case

The father of eight-year-old Ramisa, who was allegedly raped and brutally murdered in Dhaka’s Pallabi area, has demanded the severest punishment for the two accused and called for justice as the trial formally begins.

Speaking before the start of witness testimony at the Dhaka Metropolitan Tribunal for the Prevention of Violence Against Children on Tuesday morning, Abdul Hannan Molla said he expects exemplary punishment for the accused and a fair judicial outcome.

The court is scheduled to hear testimony from several key witnesses, including a magistrate, medical professionals, evidence collection officers, and local residents connected to the case.

The principal accused, Sohel Rana, was brought to court from Keraniganj Central Jail, while his wife, Swapna Akter, was transported from Kashimpur Prison. Both were placed in the court custody facility ahead of the hearing.

On Monday, the tribunal formally framed charges against the two accused and ordered the commencement of the trial. The court also issued summonses for 17 prosecution witnesses, including the complainant.

Investigators submitted the charge sheet on May 24, after which the case was transferred to the Dhaka Metropolitan Tribunal for the Prevention of Violence Against Children for trial proceedings.

According to the prosecution, Ramisa, a second-grade student of Popular Model High School, went missing on the morning of May 19 after leaving her home. Investigators allege that Swapna lured the child into her apartment.

When family members searched for her, they reportedly found the child's shoes outside the accused's room. After receiving no response from inside, residents broke open the door and discovered Ramisa’s decapitated body on the bedroom floor, while her severed head was found inside a large bucket.

Police responded to an emergency 999 call and detained Swapna at the scene. Later, Sohel Rana was arrested in Narayanganj’s Fatullah area with the help of technological surveillance.

Following the incident, Ramisa’s father filed a murder case with Pallabi Police Station on May 20. The prosecution has listed 17 witnesses as part of the trial.