The Bangladesh government has announced new legal amendments aimed at expediting the trial and investigation process for rape cases, following widespread protests over the recent sexual assault of an eight-year-old girl in Magura. The move comes five years after the enactment of the death penalty for rape, which was introduced in response to national outrage over a series of brutal sexual violence cases, including the Begumganj incident in 2020.
The latest case has sparked protests across the country, including demonstrations by students at Dhaka University, demanding swift justice. In response, the government has pledged to amend laws to ensure faster investigations and trial proceedings. Legal experts have welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement mechanisms to prevent delays in justice.
The incident in question occurred on March 6 in the village of Nijnanduali, Magura, where the victim had gone to visit her sister’s house. She was reportedly assaulted and later hospitalized at Magura Sadar Hospital. As her condition deteriorated, she was transferred to Faridpur Medical College Hospital and later to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, before being placed on a ventilator. On Saturday evening, she was admitted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in critical condition.
Following the attack, the victim’s mother filed a case against four individuals, including the girl’s brother-in-law, Sajib Hossain (18), and his father, Hitu Mia (42). The other two accused include Sajib’s 17-year-old brother and their mother, Jabeda Begum (40). All four suspects have been arrested.
The legal reforms were discussed in a press briefing held on March 9, attended by Law Advisor Professor Asif Nazrul, Home Affairs Advisor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, and Information and Broadcasting Advisor Md. Mahfuz Alam.
Professor Asif Nazrul stated that deliberations on measures to curb rape and gender-based violence had been ongoing, and in light of recent events, a decision had been reached to bring immediate legal amendments. He emphasized that further consultation with relevant stakeholders would be conducted before finalizing the changes.
One of the key proposed amendments includes reducing the trial period for rape cases from 180 days to 90 days, ensuring that delays do not lead to bail for accused individuals. The existing law permits bail if trials exceed the 180-day limit. The revised provision aims to prevent such loopholes and hold authorities accountable for undue delays in legal proceedings.
Additionally, stricter oversight will be introduced to penalize negligence in handling rape cases. If any officials are found responsible for delays or misconduct in investigation or trial, they will face departmental action, and records of their inefficiency will be documented in their service files.
Under the current legal framework, investigations must be completed within 15 working days if the accused is caught in the act, or within 60 working days if they are not immediately apprehended. The proposed amendments seek to introduce further accountability by allowing only a limited extension of 30 days in exceptional cases, with written justification from the investigating officer to the relevant tribunal.
Failure to complete an investigation within the revised timeframe will result in reassignment of the case to a new investigator, with additional disciplinary measures against the original officer responsible for delays. Authorities hope that these changes will prevent prolonged investigations, which often lead to compromised evidence and delays in justice.
Legal experts and activists have largely welcomed the proposed changes, viewing them as a step in the right direction to combat the systemic inefficiencies in rape case trials. However, some have called for further reforms, including increased support for survivors and enhanced forensic capabilities to strengthen prosecution efforts.
With protests continuing across the country, the government faces mounting pressure to act swiftly in implementing the promised reforms. The upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining the extent of these legal changes and their effectiveness in ensuring justice for victims of sexual violence.