A total of 26,695 rape cases were filed across the country in the past five years, according to a Police Headquarters report that was submitted to the High Court on Wednesday.
The report of the Special Crime Branch of the Police Headquarters said 4,331 rape cases were filed in 2016, 4,683 in 2017, 4,695 in 2018, 6,766 in 2019 and 6,220 in the first 9 months of 2020.
Based on the report, the court formed a three-member committee to monitor the progress of the 26,695 rape cases that were filed in the past five years across the country.
The body, led by the Supreme Court registrar, will monitor whether rape related cases are being disposed of within 180 days.
The Supreme Court administration informed the matter to the bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Mohi Uddin Shamim on Wednesday.
The state submitted two separate reports of the court administration and the Police Headquarters in this regard, while the High Court fixed May 23 for the next hearing over the matter.
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Deputy Attorney General Nowroj Md Rasel Chowdhury stood for the state and Advocate Yadis Jaman and Advocate Shahinujjaman Shahin represented the petitioner.
A national legal aid and human rights organization, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), had filed the writ petition on October 21, 2020, seeking the implementation of High Court directions of three verdicts.
The writ petition was filed seeking the court’s directives to announce rape-related arbitrations as a criminal offence while the High Court sought information on rape cases filed in last five years.
The court also directed to monitor case proceedings and disposals within 180 days and sought a report regarding this within four months.
A rule was issued seeking explanation why measures should not be taken to prevent arbitration of rape incidents in exchange for money.
