Both the prosecution and defense expressed satisfaction with the death penalty awarded to Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter for the rape and murder of an eight-year-old child in Pallabi, Mirpur. Dhaka Metropolitan Child Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Masrur Salehin announced the verdict on Sunday. The court also fined Sohel Rana Tk 5 lakh and Swapna Tk 2 lakh.
State-appointed defense lawyer Musa Kalimulya said, 'The criminals have received justice for their crime. I am satisfied.' He added that Sohel Rana confessed to the crime in court and both he and Swapna were sentenced to death. 'Justice has been served. The criminals have received justice for their crime. I am satisfied.'
Prosecution lawyer Azizur Rahman Dulu called the verdict a milestone in crime repression. He said the verdict was delivered within four working days, making it a milestone in repressing such crimes. 'We, the prosecution, are satisfied with this verdict.'
The lawyer added that one of the fundamental duties of a state is to create a safe environment for children. 'When a heinous crime is committed against a child, the state takes swift action to help conclude the trial. This is certainly a milestone.'
The hearing of arguments from both the state and the defense concluded last Thursday. The court set June 7 as the date for the verdict. The child was raped and murdered on May 19, and the verdict was delivered 19 days later.
