Ramisa rape and murder: Sohel Rana's wife lured in the child for her husband, says chargesheet
The investigation formalities, including the completion of DNA testing, have been concluded, paving the way for the formal submission of the chargesheet
The wife of the prime accused in the rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa actively had lured the child into their house before the brutal crime, revealed the formal chargesheet to be submitted by police today (24 May).
The investigation formalities, including final DNA testing, have been fully concluded, clearing the way for Pallabi Police Station Investigation Officer Sub-Inspector Ohedujjaman Bhuiyan Nipun to place the chargesheet before the Dhaka Metropolitan Children Violence Suppression Tribunal at around 11:30am today.
According to the specific details compiled in the police chargesheet, the tragedy unfolded on the morning of 19 May when Ramisa Akter, a class-two student of Mirpur Popular Model School, left her family's flat.
The chargesheet states that the accused, Swapna Akter, who is the wife of prime accused Sohel Rana, 30, intercepted the child and deceptively lured her inside their neighbouring apartment.
Once the child was inside, the husband, Sohel Rana, confined Ramisa within their bathroom to lay the brutal sexual assault, raping the child before slitting her throat, according to the chargesheet.
The chargesheet further details that around 10:30am, after Ramisa went missing, her mother began searching for her child to send her to school and discovered a shoe of hers placed outside the suspects' door.
Receiving no response to their knocks, the parents and other building residents forced entry into the flat, discovering Ramisa's decapitated body on the bedroom floor and her head concealed inside a large bucket.
Swapna Akter was caught standing at the scene and immediately confessed to the parents and neighbours that her husband had committed the assault and murder inside the bathroom.
Following the discovery, the victim's father, Abdul Hannan Mollah, lodged a formal case with the Pallabi Police Station naming Sohel Rana and his wife, Swapna Akter.
Police arrested Swapna from the crime scene and subsequently tracked down and apprehended Sohel Rana from Fatullah in Narayanganj.
On 20 May, Sohel Rana gave a formal judicial confession acknowledging his direct role in the crime, while Swapna was sent to jail on the same day.
The submission of this chargesheet today marks the second major phase of the legal proceedings, supported by the Law Ministry's appointment of Advocate Azizur Rahman Dulu as a special public prosecutor under Section 492 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, to guarantee a rapid trial.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had made a public vow yesterday in Trishal, Mymensingh, stating that the state would ensure the trial concludes within one month to secure the maximum penalty of the death sentence for the perpetrators.
