Dr. Asif Nazrul, a law adviser, stated on Sunday that the government is dedicated to stopping anarchic activities, torture, and violence against women in the nation.

While Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus was present at a media briefing after his ministry’s law and order meeting, Asif Nazrul declared: “Violence, torture, and rape committed against women in Bangladesh are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in any form.”

He assured everyone that the government and administration are determined to take all necessary administrative measures to ensure justice in such cases and to stop any form of sexual harassment. He made it clear that there is no doubt about this commitment.

Addressing the meeting with the chief adviser, Nazrul said: “This meeting was not originally planned for today, but recent incidents have disturbed us all. We held this meeting to bring about a change. We need to consult with our partners on certain issues, after which we will finalize decisions and aim to implement legal changes in the coming days.”

To expedite the trial process, he explained that the investigating officer of each case cannot be changed. “The designated officer will be responsible for completing the investigation within a fixed time frame. The new investigation deadline is 15 days, with the trial set to be completed within 90 days.”

He added: “If the trial is not concluded within 90 days, no bail will be granted based on delays. Under the previous law, if the trial was not completed within 180 days, the rape accused could be granted bail. However, that will no longer be the case.”

Nazrul also addressed the issue of trial delays due to DNA testing, which often takes too long in the country.

To combat this, the adviser said the government plans to establish DNA forensic laboratories in every district and amend relevant laws to speed up the process.

He said if the judge deems it possible, the trial and investigation may proceed based solely on the medical certificate, eliminating delays caused by the current process.

The adviser also announced measures to address street harassment.

A separate toll-free hotline will be provided by the police and the Home Ministry to ensure timely action.

Besides, a dedicated cell will be set up in both the Home Ministry to handle sexual harassment cases and in the Law Ministry to ensure swift investigation of rape cases, preventing unnecessary delays.

In response to questions, Nazrul said the government will prepare a draft law within a week after discussing the amendments with relevant stakeholders, although it may take additional time to pass it.

He acknowledged the public’s demand for justice within 24 hours but clarified that legally, this is not always possible, as fast-tracking justice can lead to mistakes.

However, he expressed hope that the police and courts would work together to expedite trials.