Today marks 13 years since the Rana Plaza collapse -- one of the deadliest industrial disasters in modern history -- yet for survivors and families of the victims, justice remains painfully out of reach.
The trial in the murder case linked to the 2013 tragedy, which killed 1,136 garment workers, continues to move slowly, with proceedings repeatedly delayed by incomplete witness testimony.
Of the 594 witnesses listed in the case, only 145 have testified so far.
Many others have failed to appear in court on scheduled dates, prolonging a process that has already stretched over more than a decade.
For those who lost loved ones, or survived with lifelong injuries, the delay has deepened a sense of uncertainty and frustration.
“I lost my ability to work. I struggle to survive,” said Ayesha Akhtar, who was trapped under the rubble for 11 hours and now lives with permanent disabilities.
“Even today, I cannot afford proper treatment.”
The case, filed as a murder trial, is currently being heard at Dhaka’s 8th Additional District and Sessions Judge’s Court after being transferred there in October last year.
The next date for witness testimony has been set for April 30.
Md Iqbal Hossain, chief public prosecutor of the Dhaka District Judge’s Court, said efforts are ongoing to expedite proceedings, but he could not say when the trial might conclude.
Out of the accused, three have died over the years, leaving 41 still facing charges.
Rana Plaza owner Sohel Rana remains in custody.
Thirteen accused are absconding, while 25 have secured bail from the High Court at different times.
Officials cite several reasons for the prolonged trial, including the absence of key witnesses.
Many police officers listed as witnesses have not appeared following transfers and changes within the force, while most doctors who conducted autopsies have also yet to testify.
Legal setbacks have also slowed progress.
After charges were filed in 2016, a High Court stay order halted proceedings for five years before being lifted in 2022, allowing the trial to resume.
Parallel cases related to the collapse, including one over structural violations and another filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission, also remain unresolved.
For families, however, the legal complexities matter less than the long wait for accountability.
Rokeya Begum, who lost her daughter in the collapse and is now raising her granddaughter, said their lives have remained suspended since that day.
“We have not received proper support. I just want justice before I die,” she said, urging authorities to ensure punishment for those responsible.
Thirteen years on, many victims and their families say they have yet to receive meaningful compensation through the judicial process.
While some assistance was provided in the immediate aftermath, there is no provision for compensation within the ongoing trial.
On April 24, 2013, the eight-storey Rana Plaza building in Savar collapsed, trapping thousands of workers inside.
The disaster exposed severe safety failures in the garment sector and drew global attention to Bangladesh’s industrial practices.
More than a decade later, the ruins have long been cleared -- but for many, the trauma remains.
As the anniversary returns, the slow pace of justice continues to cast a shadow over one of the country’s darkest chapters, with survivors and families still waiting for closure.