Ensure probe into recent rape, murder cases

The Rape Law Reform Coalition (RLRC) yesterday demanded thorough investigations into recent incidents of rape and murder across the country, calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice and for the protection of survivors and witnesses.

The coalition, an alliance of 17 organisations formed in 2018 under the “Rape Law Reform Now” campaign, expressed deep concern over the abduction, rape and killing of a 15-year-old girl in Narsingdi, along with other reported cases of sexual and gender-based violence.

In a press statement, the RLRC urged the authorities to take immediate and visible steps to prevent such violence and to ensure accountability of government service providers, including one-stop crisis centres and victim support centres.

RLRC urged the authorities to take immediate and visible steps to prevent such violence and to ensure accountability of government service providers, including one-stop crisis centres and victim support centres.

The demand comes amid a series of incidents reported in late February.

On February 25, a teenage girl was abducted in front of her father in the Madhabdi area of Narsingdi. Her body was recovered the following day from a mustard field in Mahishasura union.

The victim’s family alleged that six youths killed her after they sought justice for a previous rape incident.

On February 24, a student of Jahangirnagar University was allegedly taken to a house in the Islamnagar area by a former student. She was reportedly tied up, beaten and doused with boiling water before being raped.

Although she was rescued by Ashulia police after calling 999, the coalition alleged a lapse in medical care.

Despite her worsening condition, she was reportedly sent back from a Dhaka-based one-stop crisis centre after waiting two hours without being admitted.

On February 28, the bodies of a 65-year-old woman and her 15-year-old granddaughter were recovered from a house and a nearby field in Ishwardi, Pabna.

Police initially said the grandmother was killed while trying to prevent the abduction of her granddaughter, who was later raped and strangled.

The RLRC said the recurring violence violates Articles 27, 28, 31 and 32 of the Constitution of Bangladesh, which guarantee equality before the law and the right to life and personal liberty.

The coalition said the incidents also contravene the Nari O Shishu Nirjatan Daman (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

It expressed hope that the newly elected government would take strict steps to uphold the Constitution and existing laws, prevent violence against women and children, and ensure justice for the victims.