The report of Special Crime Branch of Police Headquarter said 4,331 rape cases were filed in 2016, 4683 in 2017, 4695 in 2018, 6766 in 2019 and 6,220 in the first 9 months of 2020.

Based on the Police HQ report, the court formed a three-member committee to monitor progress of the 26,695 rape cases that were filed in the past five years across the country.

The body led by the Supreme Court Registrar will monitor whether rape related cases are being disposed within 180 days.

Supreme Court Administration informed the matter to the bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Mohi Uddin Shamim on Wednesday.

The state submitted separate two reports of SC Administration and Police Headquarters in this regard while the HC fixed May 23 for next hearing over the matter.

Deputy Attorney General Nowroj Md Rasel Chowdhury stood for the state and Advocate Yadis Jaman and Advocate Shahinujjaman Shahin represented the petitioner.

A national legal aid and human rights organization, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), had filed the writ petition on October 21, 2020, seeking implementation of HC directions of three verdicts.

The writ petition was filed seeking the court’s directives to announce rape -related arbitrations as criminal offence while the HC sought information on rape cases filed in last five years.

The HC also directed to monitor case proceedings and disposals within 180 days and sought a report regarding this within four months.

A rule was issued seeking explanation why measures should not be taken to prevent arbitration of rape incidents in exchange of money.