Experts rue rise in rape incidents

Recent rise in rape incidents in the country has prompted legal experts to express concern and too advocate for making rape and violation laws harsher.

In a verdict, a High Court bench in 2019 observed that incidents of rape are increasing in the country due to the failure to provide exemplary punishment for culprits in quick time.

"Incidents of rape, especially child rape and murder after rape have increased in the country in recent times. The responsibility of failing to ensure justice for victims and exemplary punishment for offenders lies primarily with the state. In this case, the judiciary is also not above accountability," the court verdict observed.

After the two rape allegations took place in the first week of this month and the level of violence have once again brought the issue of women's safety to the fore in the country.

Human rights activists and women's rights activists are calling the situation worrisome. They are questioning the role of the state.

A minority woman was raped in Muradnagar, Cumilla, on June 28 and a video of the incident went viral on July 1.  Amidst the discussion, criticism and controversy surrounding the Muradnagar incident, allegations of gang rape emerged in Bhola on July 5.

A woman who was the victim of gang rape in Bhola said that after her husband was arrested and tortured, he called her to demand money and then tortured her, according to the media report.

Earlier, a video of a minority woman being beaten up by an accused man went viral in Muradnagar, Cumilla. The victim was filmed naked in front of her family. After the incident, the victim's family tried to leave the area.

Human rights lawyer Salma Ali said about the situation, "The incidents of minorities, including rape, are horrific."
She said that the human rights activists are taking preparation to file a writ in the High Court with 300 rape complaints since August 5 last year.