Amid the growing demand for a swift trial and harsher punishment for rapists, the interim government yesterday approved the draft ordinance of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act and included three new sections to the existing law.
Under the amended ordinance, the punishment for rape under a false promise of marriage has been set to seven years.
At a meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, the Advisory Council meeting took this decision at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon on Thursday.
Earlier, the Law Ministry proposed the draft of the Women and Child Repression Prevention (Amendment) Ordinance 2025.
The three new sections include the definition of rape, sexual intercourse under a false promise of marriage and setting up a new tribunal to combat child rape cases.
“Several measures have been taken in cases of rape under false promises. A new section has been added to the previous law, setting the maximum punishment at seven years. Further necessary steps have also been arranged under this provision,” said Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam after the meeting.
He continued: “The law adviser discussed this in detail a few days ago. Later, we consulted with women's rights bodies and other stakeholders over the issue. Significant efforts have been made to incorporate their opinions into the law,”
"Today, a discussion on the law lasted for about an hour, after which the amendment was passed. A new definition of sodomy has also been included in the law. One of the major delays in these cases was DNA testing, and steps have been taken to address such issues,” said Shafiqul Alam.
Earlier at a press conference, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said that trial and investigation time is being reduced in the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. Provisions are underway to form a special tribunal to hear child rape cases only.
The law adviser further mentioned the necessity of changing the definition of rape and said: “Earlier a rape case was filed only against the man according to the 2000 Act, but after the amendment rape is being made punishable not only by men, but by any person. In addition, the definition of rape has been expanded to include ‘Bolatkar’. Not only penetration, if any other object is used, or rape is done in any way, we will bring them under punishment,”
To reduce the backlog the new section has been added rape in the lure of marriage.
Regarding this section Asif Nazrul said, “Rape cases are getting stuck. Because there are two types of cases coming here. One is rape with the lure of marriage with consent. There were a lot of these. Because of these cases, trials for rape are being held up. That is why we have added a provision, whether it is rape with the lure of marriage, fraudulently with consent or otherwise, are separate crimes. In the case of rape without consent, trial and investigation time is being reduced. We are giving special importance to such cases. They are being sent to special tribunals if necessary."
Recently a child rape incident at Magura aroused fury across the country, with protesters demanding a speedy trial of those involved.
Then the interim government took these initiatives to amend the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act 2000, which was enacted in 2000 during the period of Awami League rule.
Later, that act was amended twice, first in 2000 and then in 2003, introducing more precise provisions.
