Bangladesh forms special High Court bench to fast-track women, child abuse appeals

The decision could end years of delays in disposing of appeals in women and children repression cases

Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury has formed a special High Court bench to expedite appeals and death references in cases filed under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.

The bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja will take effect from Jun 14, reads a notification issued by the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

“Only references for confirmation of death sentences related to the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act and all criminal appeals and jail appeals arising from the same judgment will be heard by the bench on a priority basis,” said the apex court.

“Additionally, the bench will receive and hear applications for granting criminal appeals and jail appeals arising from that judgment, criminal miscellaneous and criminal revisions, if any, and rules and applications related to these matters,” it added.

The chief justice announced the decision on Jun 7, following a proposal from Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal in the Appellate Division.

At that time, Kazal said the decision could end years of delays in disposals of appeals in such cases.