Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said the apparent rise in recorded rape cases was largely due to improved access to justice, as victims can now file cases without the social and political interference that previously discouraged them from approaching police.
Speaking in parliament during the discussion on the Home Ministry's budgetary demand and cut motions, the minister said rape survivors had often been unable or unwilling to lodge complaints in the past because of social stigma and political influence.
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"Now, whenever someone goes to a police station, the case is recorded. People can also submit general diaries (GDs) and first information reports (FIRs) online. There is no interference in this process," he said.
Responding to criticism from Independent MP elected from Brahmanbaria-2 Rumeen Farhana, who cited media reports on the country's law and order situation during March and April while moving a cut motion, Salahuddin said the government had already presented data in parliament showing improvements in most crime indicators.
He said statistics showed progress in reducing murders, violence against women and children, and robberies since the current government assumed office.
"The only area where the figures have increased is the recording of rape cases," he said, attributing the rise to greater willingness and ability among victims to report offences.
The home minister, however, said police were now responding more effectively to rape cases by promptly arresting suspects, submitting charge sheets and assisting prosecutions throughout the trial process.
He said the speedy trial in the Ramisa murder case, completed within 15 to 17 days, was a record for Bangladesh. He also said suspects had been arrested in the Tonu murder case from 2016, based on DNA evidence, adding that investigations into other pending cases would also be completed.
The minister referred to several other rape cases and charge sheets, saying police were acting against offenders irrespective of their political affiliation.
"Police are not arresting people based on party identity. Criminals are being identified as criminals," he said, adding that opposition parties were also taking organisational action whenever any of their members became involved in criminal activities.
Salahuddin said the government would not give political consideration priority over law enforcement and claimed that visible improvements had been achieved in almost every area of public security.
He stressed that maintaining law and order was essential for the country's development, stability and peace, but said public cooperation remained indispensable alongside the efforts of law enforcement agencies.
Calling for greater public awareness and political cooperation, the minister said everyone, from village police to the Inspector General of Police, was working to improve public safety.
The home minister also highlighted two new laws introduced in parliament to strengthen law enforcement, saying the country must protect its youth from the growing threats of drugs and gambling.
He said the government had decided to transform the Department of Narcotics Control into a fully equipped department with dog squads, armed and trained personnel, detention facilities and laboratories in every district to test narcotics and submit forensic reports to courts.
Officials would also be provided with modern equipment and firearms, he said, noting that narcotics traffickers often operate armed networks, particularly in border areas.
On gambling, Salahuddin said new legislation would address online, offline and digital-platform gambling, as well as cyber-related offences, through advanced technology and specialised manpower.
He criticised the country's continued reliance on the colonial-era Public Gambling Act of 1867, saying modern laws would now be used to combat betting and other contemporary forms of gambling.