Magura rape, murder trial to start in a week: Asif Nazrul

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul today said the trial over rape and murder of eight-year-old girl from Magura will be started within a week.

“DNA samples have already been collected and the report is expected to come within next five days. We have also recorded statements of 12/13 people under section 161. We hope the trial will begin within the next seven days,” he said at a press briefing held at the ministry auditorium this afternoon.

The law adviser said the child has died around 1 pm at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka. 

“Our chief adviser has mourned her death. We are all grieving, but we must fulfill our responsibilities through this. We have made arrangement to collect the postmortem report today. The victim’s body will be taken to Magura by helicopter for burial. Adviser (Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock) Farida Akhtar will be present on behalf of the government with the body of the child and her family. She will remain there until the burial,” Dr Asif Nazrul said.

“There are instances in the past when trial of rape case was completed within 7/8 days through continuous hearing. If we can start the trial in seven days, our judges will be able to hold the trial with the utmost speed, ensuring justice. Because, we have so many evidences around, DNA report will come, postmortem report will be available; so we are hoping that the trial will be completed within short time,” he added.

The law adviser hoped that the criminals will get exemplary punishment.

Dr Asif Nazrul further said that the amended Women and Children Repression Prevention Ordinance has been made with the provision of forming a special tribunal to try child rape cases. He said that the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act of 2000 is being amended to reduce the investigation and trial time by half. At the same time, the bail provisions are being tightened, he added.  

According to the draft law, the investigation time of rape cases is being reduced from 30 days to 15 days and the trial time of the case is being reduced from 180 days to 90 days. According to the revised draft law, the investigating officer who has been designated will have to complete the investigation work within the specified time. The investigating officer cannot be changed.

“I have told you for the last two days that we are making a new law. The initial draft of the new law has been prepared. There are many stakeholders who need to be consulted. We hope to enact the new law by next Sunday or maximum by Monday. I have already told you what is in the new law. I would like to add that under the new Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, we are going to form a special tribunal to ensure speedy and appropriate trial only in cases of child rape and assault,” he added.

Dr Asif Nazrul urged journalists to keep an eye on those who want to create anarchy in the country over this issue and said the government will not tolerate any mayhem over this.

“If we make any mistakes, please tell us specifically. Of course, we will respond to those mistakes. We will ensure the accountability. I want to assure you that we have no mistakes in this regard now. We will try to correct any mistakes in the future as well,” he assured.