Spl tribunal sends Sohel, his wife Swapna to gallows

Accused Sohel Rana and his wife, Swapna Khatun, both are sentenced to death in quick-trial judgment on the rape and murder of Dhaka's schoolgirl Ramisa Akter.
A special tribunal in Dhaka Sunday handed down the capital punishment to the couple in the case of sensational incident in Pallabi in the capital that sparked countrywide public outrage and prompted the government to pledge swift justice.
Judge Masrur Salekin of the Children Violence Suppression Tribunal in Dhaka delivered the verdict -- just 19 days after the crime, marking one of the fastest trials in recent years.
Under Section 9(2) of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, the court awarded the maximum punishment -- death penalty -- to the convicts.
In addition to the sentence, Sohel has been fined Tk 500,000 while Swapna fined Tk 200,000.
The tribunal orders that the money be paid as compensation to the legal heirs of victim Ramisa. "If the compensation is not paid, the convicts' movable and immovable properties be auctioned and the proceeds handed over to the deceased victim's legal heirs."
Government leaders concerned, including the prime minister, appreciated the rapid dispensation of justice.
The court began reading out the verdict at 11:00 am and ended at 11: 41 am in a crowded court.
Earlier in the day, under tight security, Swapna Akter, wife of accused Sohel, was brought to court at around 8:30 am. At 8:50 am, the principal accused, Sohel Rana, was brought from prison on a prison van.
They were taken to the holding cell of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court. Both were later produced before the tribunal.
Security was tightened around the court premises in connection with the verdict. In addition to extra police deployment, members of various intelligence agencies were also seen operating in plainclothes.
Citing the accused's confession, the investigating officer's testimony, and the doctor's report, the tribunal stated in its observation that the accused Sohel Rana proved guilty.
The tribunal also stated that for providing all kinds of assistance in the crime, his wife Swapna Akter is "equally guilty of the same crime".
In the verdict, the tribunal states that the doctor's testimony and evidence in this case prove that the child was raped and subsequently murdered.
In addition, this matter was also proven by the testimony of the police officer who prepared the inquest report, it points out.
"It emerged from the testimonies of witnesses 1 to 16 that after the incident of rape and murder, the accused Sohel Rana escaped by cutting the grill. At the time, the other accused, Swapna Akter, was in that very flat. Instead of preventing the murder and rape, she assisted in the crime. As a result, the accused Sohel Rana and Swapna Akter are equally guilty of the same crime", the tribunal states in the readout.
The tribunal further in the verdict says that based on all the testimonies and evidence, it is proven that the accused Sohel Rana raped and murdered the child between 9:00am and 11:00am.
It also mentions the confession by Sohel Rana. In the confession, he admitted to raping and murdering the child.
As the verdict was pronounced, the father of the eight-year-old schoolchild said, "We have received the desired verdict within the timeframe given by the Honorable Prime Minister."
He expressed the hope that the verdict would be executed swiftly.
The child's father further said, "Alhamdulillah, I am 100-percent happy. Of course, I want to see the verdict for my daughter's murder executed quickly".
He expressed his gratitude to the judge, the police administration, journalists, and the public for providing mental support to the family during their time of distress.
Special prosecutor Azizur Rahman Dulu terms the verdict of this case "a milestone in suppressing crime".
He mentions that the verdict of this case was completed within four working days.
In that context, this verdict will remain a milestone in suppressing this type of crime, Dulu said, adding, "We, the prosecution side, are satisfied with this verdict."
On behalf of the defence, state-appointed lawyer Musa Kalimullah said, "The criminals have received the judgment for their crimes. I am satisfied."
In his reaction after the verdict, he further said Sohel had confessed to his guilt and given a statement in court.
Ramisa, a second-grade student at Popular Model High School, was found beheaded after being deflowered in the house of her neighbour Sohel on May 19.

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