STAFF CORRESPONDENT

A special tribunal in Dhaka yesterday framed charges against prime accused Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Khatun in the case filed over the rape and murder of eight‑year‑old schoolgirl Ramisa Akhter in Pallabi.

The couple pleaded not guilty after Judge Masrur Salekin of the Children Violence Suppression Tribunal in Dhaka Metropolitan read out charges, said bench assistant Pankoj Peter Gomes.

Meanwhile, Sohel attempted to introduce a new name in the case, telling reporters on the court premises that a man called “Dollar” was also involved.

His earlier confessional statement before a metropolitan magistrate on May 20, however, made no mention of Dollar, according to police.

Investigating officer Ohiduzzaman, sub‑inspector of Pallabi Police Station, said evidence confirmed no third person was present at the scene of the crime before or after the incident. Eyewitnesses saw Sohel fleeing alone. “The prime accused is deliberately trying to jeopardise trial proceedings,” he observed.

Sohel, while being escorted to the tribunal, told reporters: “I’m at fault, but so is Dollar. I’m not the only culprit.”

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