Ramisa Rape-Murder Trial: Testimony of 10 Witnesses Recorded

The Child Violence Suppression Tribunal in Dhaka on Tuesday recorded testimonies from 10 of the 17 witnesses listed in the charge sheet in the case over the rape and throat-slitting murder of child victim Ramisa in Pallabi, Mirpur.

The hearing began before Judge Masrur Saleqin with the deposition of the complainant and the victim’s father, Abdul Hannan Molla.

The court subsequently heard testimony from the victim’s mother, Parveen Akter; elder sister, Raisa Akter; aunt, Mahmuda Akter; uncle, Mizanur Rahman Liton; fourth-floor resident Monir Hossain; neighbour Zakirul Islam Raju; second-floor resident Sheikh Abu Sama; uncle-in-law Moniruzzaman Shahin; and Constable Roma Akter.

State-appointed defence lawyer Musa Kalimullah cross-examined the witnesses during the proceedings.

After the morning session, the court adjourned until 1:30pm, with the recording of the remaining testimonies scheduled to continue later in the day.

Tribunal bench assistant Pankaj Peter Gomes said all witnesses were present in court and that the testimony of the remaining witnesses could also be completed on Tuesday if time allowed.

Meanwhile, prime accused Sohel Rana was brought to the court from Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj at around 8:45am, while co-accused Swapna Akter, his wife, was produced from Kashimpur Jail.

The two accused were initially kept in the holding cell of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court before being taken to the courtroom ahead of the witness testimony proceedings.