HC Orders State Counsel for Death-Row Convicts

The High Court on Tuesday ordered the appointment of a state defence counsel for death-row convicts Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter, in connection with the rape and brutal murder of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter in the capital’s Pallabi area.

A High Court bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja passed the order after the two convicts filed jail appeals with the High Court challenging their convictions and sentences.

Earlier on June 14, the High Court accepted the jail appeals filed by Sohel Rana and Swapna Akter for a formal hearing. 

Prior to this, the death reference and all relevant case documents had been forwarded to the High Court for mandatory review and approval of the death sentences.

The High Court's directives follow a swift trial by the Dhaka Metropolitan Children Violence Suppression Tribunal. 

On June 7, Judge Masrur Salekin sentenced both accused to death, ordering that they be hanged until death under Section 368 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, subject to confirmation by the High Court Division in accordance with Section 374 of the Code.

In addition to the capital punishment, the tribunal fined Sohel Rana BDT 5 lakh and Swapna Akter BDT 2 lakh, directing that the fines be paid to Ramisa’s legal heirs. 

The tribunal further directed that, if the fines remain unpaid, the authorities may seize and sell the convicts’ movable and immovable assets and transfer the proceeds to the victim’s family. 

The judgment stated that the convicts are entitled to appeal before the High Court within the legally prescribed period under Section 28 of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000.

The case saw exceptionally rapid judicial proceedings, which began after Investigating Officer Sub-Inspector Ahiduzzaman of Pallabi Police Station submitted the charge sheet against Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter on May 25, prompting the case to be transferred to the tribunal for trial. 

Formal proceedings began on June 1 with the framing of charges. The following day, June 2, a total of 16 prosecution witnesses testified, concluding the evidentiary phase in a single day. 

The accused were then examined under Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure on June 3, leading up to the June 7 verdict.

According to the prosecution, Ramisa was raped and murdered on May 19. 

After the killing, Sohel Rana allegedly fled by cutting the grille of a window in the room.

The authorities were alerted to the crime when local police detained Swapna Akter after receiving information through the national emergency service, 999. 

Law enforcement officials later tracked down and arrested Sohel Rana in front of the Fatullah Police Station in Narayanganj. Following the arrests, Ramisa’s father filed a case with Pallabi Police Station. 

On May 21, Sohel Rana gave a confessional statement before a court under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure after which both accused were sent to jail pending trial.