Rape investigations to be completed within 15 days, trial in 90 days: Law adviser

Highlights:

• Changes coming in relevant laws to speed up rape case trials
• Govt to set up DNA forensic labs in every district
• Toll-free hotline to be launched to prevent sexual harassment

Law enforcement agencies have to complete investigation of rape cases within 15 days and trial in 90 days, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said today (9 March).

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat this afternoon, he said the government will bring some amendments into relevant laws to expedite the trial process of rape cases.

"We have discussed the issue of amending the relevant laws. A result will be available within a week," he said.

"The accused cannot be granted bail on the pretext of not completing the trial within 90 days. If there is any negligence on the part of the administration, specific provisions for punishment will be added to the law."

According to the existing law, the trial of rape cases has to be completed by 180 days.

In 2020, the government brought changes in laws and made it mandatory for disposal of rape cases within 180 days and introduced death penalty in rape cases. The changes came in the wake of countrywide protests after footage of a brutal gang assault on a woman in Noakhali went viral on social media.

Asif Nazrul said acquiring DNA certificates can delay trial of rape cases so the interim government will take steps to set up DNA forensic labs in every district.

"In some cases, if the judge thinks that a medical certificate is sufficient, he can take necessary actions. In many incidents like that in Magura, the accused are caught red-handed. We are trying to bring change in laws to prevent wastage of time in obtaining certificates in such cases," he said. 

The law adviser announced that the Ministry of Home Affairs is going to launch a toll-free hotline to prevent sexual harassment on the streets.

"It will be announced within the next 24 hours and will be toll-free," the law adviser said.

The law ministry will also set up a cell for rape cases, he said.

He said, "The hotline will be available 24 hours a day. Complaints can be reported at any time, and a dedicated cell within the Home Ministry will monitor rape cases to ensure that no unnecessary delays occur in the disposal of these cases."

Also speaking at the press briefing, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuz Alam said, "We are planning to monitor the issues that exist, such as mob justice and militant issues that may come to the fore. We will sit with the media to figure out how they will focus on such issues so that the people get the right information."

He also said awareness videos will be made in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture to prevent rape.