4 years after Rana Plaza disaster: No case disposed of yet

Staff Correspondent: Four years have elapsed since the Rana Plaza building collapse, but there is no progress in the trial proceedings in the cases filed over the tragedy.

On this fateful day in 2013, the Rana Plaza building collapsed killing at least 1,136 workers and injuring more than 2,500.

Two separate Dhaka courts framed charges against 42 accused including building owner Sohel Rana in two cases, but the courts are yet to start recording statements of witnesses in the cases.

The murder case filed for the deaths of workers is pending with Dhaka District and Sessions Judges Court due to various complications.

However, the court fixed May 8 for next hearing in Rana Plaza building corruption case over the tragedy.

On July 18, 2016, the court framed charges against 41 accused including Sohel Rana in the case. Afterward, the court fixed four dates- on September 8, November 17, January 22 and February 26 – to start recording statements of witnesses. But process has so far been blocked by various time petitions from both the defence and the prosecution.

Following the matter, Public Prosecutor Khandaker Abdul Mannan said that seven accused appealed to the High Court challenging the trial. Later, High Court stayed trial proceedings against seven accused in the case.

"That's why we could not take statements of witness in lower court. We sent a letter to attorney general seeking suggestions from the attorney general but no response yet to come," he said.

A total of 41 defendants face charges over the collapse of the complex, which housed five garment factories supplying global brands.

On June 14, 2016, the court framed charges against 18 accused including Sohel Rana in the case.


risingbd/Dhaka/Apr 24, 2017/Mamun Khan/Nasim