STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Amid vigorous protests by different quarters demanding women’s safety and the administration’s accountability in handling incidents of sexual assault, the government has promised steps to speed up judicial processes in such cases.

It has also vowed increased vigilance against mob violence in the wake of concerns over a rise in incidents related to angry crowds.

The government is set to amend the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act to mandate that rape case investigations be completed within 15 days instead of 30, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said at a press briefing yesterday.

Flanked by Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam, Asif told reporters at the Secretariat that the trial duration for rape cases would also be halved, requiring completion within 90 days.

Under the existing law, rape suspects’ bail is possible if the trial is not completed within 180 days, but delays in completing the trial within the 90-day period would not be grounds for granting bail under the amended law, the law adviser said.

The government has also directed law enforcement agencies to make a list of all incidents of violence against women that occurred during the tenure of the interim government. They will have to submit the list to the court. They have also been instructed to speed up the investigation of these cases, according to Asif.

“Women must be able to work at home and outdoors without any fear. Those who attempt to obstruct this with violence will be brought under the law. No leniency will be shown in this regard,” he said.

The law adviser said the government planned several measures to prevent rape and violence against women. “These will soon be finalised, and necessary legal changes will be introduced.”

Regarding the possible legal changes, Asif said, “Previously, if the investigating officer in a case of violence against women failed to complete the investigation within 30 days, they would be replaced. This practice will be changed. The designated investigating officer must complete the investigation within the stipulated time.”

Condemning the rape of an eight-year-old girl, Asif said that rapists have no place in Bangladesh. “All those accused in the Magura incident have already been arrested. The government is working to ensure the maximum punishment for them through the legal process.”

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