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confessional statement and that the alleged murder weapon had not undergone forensic testing.

Lawyers involved in the case said they could not recall a verdict being delivered so quickly in a rape and murder trial.

Ramisa, a second-grade student of Popular Model High School, was found beheaded on May 19 at the home of her neighbour, Sohel, in the capital’s Pallabi area.

The following day, her father, Abdul Hannan Mollah, filed a case with Pallabi Police Station, accusing Sohel, Swapna and an unidentified person.

According to the case statement, Sohel lured Ramisa into his room and raped her. Investigators said he later slit her throat and attempted to dismember the body to conceal the crime.

On May 24, the investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Ohiduzzaman of Pallabi Police Station, submitted a charge sheet to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka, accusing Sohel of rape, murder and destruction of evidence. Swapna was charged with destruction of evidence, providing false information and assisting her husband in committing the offence.

Several hours later, the court transferred the case to the tribunal for trial.