Declare salish for settling rape cases a criminal offence

A leading rights organisation yesterday filed a writ petition with the High Court, praying to it to declare salish (arbitrations) in settling incidents of rape as a criminal offence.

Lawyer Shahinuzzaman Shahin submitted the petition on behalf of Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), also requesting to the HC to issue necessary directives to ensure finishing trial proceedings of rape cases in 180 days in line with the relevant provisions of the Women and Children Repression (Prevention) Act, 2000.

In the petition, the organisation urged the HC to inquire how many rape cases were filed with the police stations across the country and how many rape cases were sent to the courts for their trial in last 10 years.

ASK in the petition also prayed to the HC issue a directive on the authorities concerned to implement the provision of holding closed-door trial of the rape cases.

Petitioner's lawyer Yeadia Zaman told The Daily Star that the HC is yet to set any date for holding hearing on the writ petition.