Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman has said the speedy trial and verdict in the rape and murder case of eight-year-old Ramisa has created a rare milestone in the country’s judicial history.
He made the remarks in a statement in parliament, officially informing the nation of what he called an “historic success” on Sunday.
He said the combined efforts of the government, the fastest police investigation and the suspension of court holidays made it possible to ensure a landmark judgment within a very short period.
He said police arrested the main two accused within seven hours of the incident on 19 May in Pallabi. After the incident, top government officials, including the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, met the victim’s family.
Asaduzzaman said the victim’s father had initially expressed deep frustration with the justice system and said he did not want a trial due to delays in previous cases. He added that the government assured him of swift justice.
The minister said police submitted the charge sheet within five days, by 24 May, and the case was sent to the tribunal the same day.
He also said a major challenge was the 15-day summer vacation of lower courts starting from 1 June. However, special tribunals dealing with women and child violence remained active after the Chief Justice decided, at the government’s request, to exclude them from the holiday schedule.
To ensure fairness and prevent any legal challenge from the defence, state defence lawyers were appointed on 24 May. The charge framing took place on 1 June, the first working day after Eid holidays.
He explained testimony from 16 witnesses was completed within two days. Arguments on both sides were finished in the following days. After the weekend closure of courts, the verdict was delivered on 7 June after 41 minutes of judgment reading, sentencing the main accused Sohel Rana and his wife to death.
The minister said the verdict helped restore the family’s lost confidence in the justice system.
Quoting Mao Zedong, Chinese revolutionary, politician, writer, political theorist and the founder of the People’s Republic of China, Asaduzzaman said some deaths are heavier than mountains and some lighter than feathers.
He said Ramisa’s death weighed heavily on the nation and justice has helped ease that burden.
The minister also mentioned the government continues to monitor other sensitive cases to ensure speedy investigation and trial.
