The two accused in the brutal rape and murder case of child Ramisa Akter were produced before a Dhaka court on Sunday morning as security was tightened across the premises ahead of the much-anticipated verdict.
Swapna Khatun, one of the accused, was brought to the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court from Kashimpur Central Jail around 8:25am. The prime accused, Sohel Rana, arrived from Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj at approximately 8:45am.
Both were placed in the court lock-up and will remain there until the verdict is announced, court sources said. They will be produced before the tribunal before the ruling.
The verdict is scheduled to be delivered at 11am today by Judge Masrur Salekin of the Dhaka Metropolitan Child Violence Repression Tribunal.
Security has been significantly reinforced in and around the court premises ahead of the verdict. Additional police personnel have been deployed, and surveillance has been increased in the tribunal area.
Media personnel began gathering at the court from early morning. Lawyers, justice seekers, and members of the public have also shown intense interest in the case, with crowds of onlookers seen at various points around the court.
During the last hearing on Thursday, the state sought the death penalty – the maximum punishment – for both accused. The defence, however, pleaded for life imprisonment for Sohel Rana and a lighter sentence for Swapna Khatun.
The gruesome rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa in Dhaka’s Pallabi area sparked nationwide outrage and protests, with calls for swift justice. The case progressed at record speed, reaching the verdict stage in just 18 days.
