Writ petition for branding arbitration in rape cases criminal offence

A writ petition was filed with the High Court seeking its directives to declare the village arbitration for rape incidents as a criminal offence.

Advocate Yeadia Zaman, on behalf of Ain O Salish Kendra, and Advocate Shahinuzzaman Shahin, on behalf of the Human Rights Organisation, filed the petition with the HC bench concerned on Monday.

The writ petition also sought the court’s directives to dispose of the rape cases within 180 days, promulgate a provision to continue trial proceedings until disposition and execute the order immediately.

It was filed after getting permission from the HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Mohi Uddin Shamim and will likely be heard by the bench, said Advocate Yeadia.

Secretaries to the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry, Home Ministry, Social Welfare Ministry, Women and Children Affairs Ministry, Inspector General of Police, and the registrar general of the Supreme Court have been made respondents.

The writ petition also sought directives to conduct closed-door hearings.

It also sought information on how many rape cases have been filed in the last ten years and all information regarding the trial proceedings of the cases.

On October 13, a legal notice was sent to the respondents seeking the implementation of the law. The writ petition was filed as no response from the respondents came.