In a striking show of unity against a court’s direction to the police not to accept the lawsuits 72 hours after rape, hundreds of women from different social strata, including university teachers and students, women rights activists and professionals brought out a procession in capital Dhaka. There is nothing wrong in not his agreeing with the courts view. We want to hear more voice of protests grievous wrongs. We as nation has become too much timid to enjoy our rights obtained at the cost of the people’s blood for the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan army.
The news report published in this daily on Saturday said that the demonstrators brought out the torch procession from Shahbagh intersection to the Parliament square carrying placards and chanting slogans ‘Is rape legal after 72 hours?’
‘We want safety on the street day and night’ and ‘Ensure equality, break patriarchy.’
What has not explained a serious crime rape should not as urgently as within 72 hours of the committal of the offence. Do the demonstrators know difficult to prove a rape incident after long delay? Surely they know. Then what sensible reason they could for taking the crime leisurely? They argued if the rape victim is confined for 72 hours then how could she be seeking justice. They are talking of completely free of justice system. Her parents can file case and necessary for them to complain. Reporting a case and start the trial are the same thing. The girl could also be killed but that does not kill the rape case.
The experience more time needs for negotiate the crime for extortion. The law is abused should also be taken into consideration. If the court is to be helpful for the victims of rape that is welcome. But taking easily. There creates greater opportunity to deny Justice and blackmail the innocents.
The law is to facilitate justice and the courts have a responsibility not be burdened with careless cases. Beside trial takes inordinate time proving rape case.
A tribunal acquitted five persons, including Apan Jewellers owner Dilder Hossain’s son Safat Ahmed, accused of raping two university students in the city’s Raintree Hotel four years ago. The Judge of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-7 pronounced the verdict on Thursday. A case was filed with the Banani Police Station on March 28, 2017 in this connection. While pronouncing the verdict, the court observed that the prosecution had failed to prove the case. We, along with the marchers, express our disappointment over the outcome of such a sensational case. In appeal it has to be examined why evidence was not found because of long delay or for some other reason.
We would earnestly hope that demonstrators will follow early hearing of the appeal. They may find widespread manipulations and corruption why the rapists escaped if they were.
The hypocrisy of many of our educated people is no secret. Knowingly they pretend not to know the law is not important money is law. The power is law.
We expected the university students take up the matter to find out the powerful one’s who are committing such crimes impunity. We are proving unfit for our rights for our educated opportunists. Crimes Steve spiking and justice is uncertain for lack of independence.
