Online Desk 

While a handful of high-profile rape and murder cases in Bangladesh move swiftly through the justice system, the majority remain stalled in lengthy investigations, leaving victims and their families waiting for justice.

The recent verdict in the widely discussed Pallabi child rape and murder case has become an example of expedited justice. In that case, the trial was completed within just four working days, resulting in death sentences for two convicted individuals. However, such instances remain the exception rather than the norm.

According to crime analysts, cases that attract widespread media attention or draw scrutiny from human rights organisations tend to receive greater urgency from investigators. In contrast, countless lesser-known victims spend months, and often years, waiting for meaningful progress in their cases.

Data from Police Headquarters show that between March and May this year, a total of 5,448 cases were filed nationwide under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. Of these, 413 cases were registered in the Dhaka metropolitan area alone. Court-related sources said that charge sheets have been submitted in only 65 of those cases, while final reports have been filed in 10. Investigations in the overwhelming majority of cases remain incomplete.

Police officials attribute much of the delay to the lengthy process involved in obtaining DNA analyses, medical reports and other forensic examination results. In many cases, they say, families must wait more than a year for a medical report to be issued.

In Bandarban's Thanchi upazila, the rape and murder of a Khiyang woman sparked human chains, statements from prominent citizens and demands for a judicial inquiry. Yet more than a year later, investigators have made little progress, with police saying they have still been unable to identify those responsible.

Similarly, in the case involving the rape of a schoolgirl in Muradnagar, Cumilla, investigations have yet to be completed despite criminal charges being filed. The local police maintain that the suspects remain absconding and that the medical examination report has not yet been received.

Under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000 (amended in 2026), investigators are required to complete their inquiries within 15 working days following the arrest of an accused person. The law allows extensions with court approval when necessary. Recent amendments have also relaxed the mandatory requirement for DNA evidence, giving courts greater discretion in considering available evidence. The revised provisions further seek to reduce the time required for the investigation and trial of rape cases.

Retired Senior District and Sessions Judge Fowzul Azim believes that specialised training for investigating officers, adequate manpower and sufficient financial support are essential for improving the system. He also stressed the need to increase the number of forensic and medical experts to ensure timely submission of reports.

"In many cases, delays are not caused by a lack of legal provisions, but by limitations in institutional capacity," he noted. "If all relevant stakeholders work in coordination, investigations into rape and murder cases can be completed within the stipulated timeframe."

Experts argue that ensuring justice requires equal importance to be given to both high-profile and lesser-known cases. Otherwise, public confidence in the justice system may erode, raising broader concerns about the rule of law and equal access to justice.