Repression on women, children: 1,366 cases gathering dust

About 1,366 cases under the Act await disposal till Wednesday.

The cases include rape, abduction, torture for dowry and acid throwing.

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As many as 296 cases were disposed of from January to October.

The number of cases in the Special Tribunal for Prevention of Women and Children Repression Tribunal is increasing rapidly. The judge of the tribunal has to examine 25 to 30 cases daily.

Criminals got away scot-free in 291 other cases.

About 98 per cent criminals get away scot-free here through legal loophole, according to statistics.

The highest punishment under the act is death sentence. But no convict got the highest punishment. Only four convicts were awarded life term rigorous imprisonment (RI) in four separate rape cases while another convict was sentenced to 10 years' RI for abduction.

According to victims and lawyers, the major blame goes to a section of police personnel and doctors. The reason is, the fate of the cases under the act mainly depends on reports of police and doctors. Delay in performing medical test and delay in submitting its report by a section of doctors makes it difficult to proof the cases. Sometimes the investigation report submitted by police differs from actual statement of complainant which weakens the merit of the case. Victims also alleged police do not place evidence or any document before doctors for test in proper time. They also do not receive medical reports timely. The situation makes it difficult to find out the actual sign of crime. There are also allegations against a section of doctors and policemen who divert the cases in another direction in exchange of bribe.

Moreover, brokers (middlemen) allegedly manage a section of policemen, doctors and witnesses in exchange of money. They hide the truth giving wrong evidence before the court.

Sometimes criminals are not punished because cases are settlement outside the court between victims and accused persons amicably or by threat or pressure.

Because of the above reasons, the concerned government lawyer faces difficulties in proving the cases which ultimately dismisse the cases.

The government lawyer of the special tribunal, Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury told this correspondent that the law meant for safeguarding the interest of women and children is being misused by a section of 'touts'. He also said there is an opportunity to file case under Section 17 against the plaintiff.