Ramisa murder
Published: 12:21 AM, 25 May 2026
Trial likely to conclude by 5-7 days: Salahuddin
Police press charges against Sohel Rana, wife
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has expressed hope that the trial over the rape and murder of seven-year-old Ramisa in the capital's Pallabi area will be completed within the next five to seven days.
"The government would ensure the highest punishment for those involved in the brutal crime," he said.
He made the remarks while speaking at a dialogue organized by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat media centre on Sunday.
The event was chaired by BSRF President Masudul Hoque and attended by Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed, while General Secretary Ubaidullah Badal moderated the program.
Ahmed said the prime accused, who fled after raping and killing the child, was arrested within seven hours of the incident.
He added that the accused gave a confessional statement before a court within a day of his arrest.
The suspect's wife was also detained for allegedly assisting in the crime.
"We quickly obtained court approval and completed the DNA test within three days. The report was submitted yesterday afternoon, and we have already received the post-mortem report," he said. He also noted that despite the court vacation, steps are being taken to ensure a speedy trial in the case.
According to him, the Chief Justice is considering cancelling the vacation of a special court to expedite proceedings, while the matter is being coordinated by the Law Ministry.
"To handle this case exclusively, we have appointed a special public prosecutor. Considering all aspects, we hope the charge sheet will be submitted today, and the trial may conclude within five to seven days," he said.
The minister stressed that the government remains committed to ensuring the swift arrest and prosecution of perpetrators involved in rape and violence against women and children.
"As a government, we are ensuring legal action and justice. Our top priority is to arrest the accused in the shortest possible time. Over the last three months, we have succeeded in every such case, and we will not spare anyone involved in these heinous crimes in the future," he added.
Meanwhile, police on Sunday pressed charges against the two accused - Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter - in the case filed over the rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter in the capital's Pallabi area.
Investigating Officer (IO) of the case - Sub-Inspector Ohiduzzaman of Pallabi Police Station - submitted a charge sheet against them before the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in the afternoon.
Earlier in the morning, the accused were produced before the court.
On Saturday, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police handed over the DNA report to the IO.
Ramisa Akter, daughter of Abdul Hannan Molla, was raped and murdered by Sohel Rana, tenant of a neighbouring flat, on Tuesday. According to the case details, the suspect reportedly lured her into his room and later killed her after rape.
Later, Ramisa's decapitated body was found beneath the bed while her severed head was found hidden inside a bucket in the bathroom.
While Swapna was detained from the scene by neighbours and subsequently handed over to police, Sohel Rana managed to escape by cutting through a window grille.
He was tracked down and arrested by police later Tuesday evening in Fatullah in Narayanganj.
ON the other hand, a special tribunal in Dhaka has set June 1 for holding a hearing on charge framing in a case lodged over the rape and murder of Ramisa.
Judge Masrur Salekin of Dhaka Metropolitan Children Violence Suppression Tribunal passed the order yesterday after accepting the charge sheet filed in the case.
Police earlier in the day submitted the charge sheet against the alleged rapist and killer Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter.
