A special tribunal in Dhaka on Sunday sentenced prime accused Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Khatun to death in a case filed over the rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter in the city`s Pallabi area.

Judge Masrur Salekin of the Dhaka Prevention of Violence Against Children Tribunal announced the verdict in presence of the accused.

The verdict came just 19 days after the crime, marking one of the fastest trials in recent memory. Prosecutors concluded arguments on June 4, after which the court fixed June 7 for judgment.

Ramisa, a Class-II student of Popular Model High School, was raped and beheaded by her neighbour Sohel Rana at his flat in the Millat Camp area of Pallabi on May 19. Sohel Rana and Swapna Akter were arrested the same day.

Police submitted the chargesheet on May 24, naming 18 witnesses. The trial formally began on June 1, with witness testimony completed on June 2. Accused Sohel Rana provided confessional statement in court, Swapna claimed innocence during their defence hearing on June 3.