Police on Sunday pressed formal charges against the two accused individuals—Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter—in the case filed over the brutal rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter in the capital's Pallabi area.

The Investigating Officer (IO) of the case, Sub-Inspector Ohiduzzaman of Pallabi Police Station, submitted the charge sheet against the couple before the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in the afternoon.

Earlier in the morning, the accused were produced before the court. The submission followed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police handing over the critical DNA report to the IO on Saturday.

Meanwhile, commenting on the swift progress of the investigation, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said the trial in the rape and murder case could be completed within five to seven days.

According to the case details, Ramisa Akter, daughter of Abdul Hannan Molla, was raped and murdered on Tuesday by Sohel Rana, who was a tenant of a neighboring flat.

The suspect reportedly lured the young girl into his room and subsequently killed her after committing the rape.

Ramisa’s decapitated body was later discovered beneath the bed, while her severed head was found hidden inside a bucket in the bathroom.

Following the horrific discovery, Swapna Akter was detained at the scene by neighbors and subsequently handed over to the police.

However, Sohel Rana managed to escape the apartment by cutting through a window grille.

Law enforcement successfully tracked him down and arrested him later Tuesday evening in the Fatullah area of Narayanganj.