Form body to determine process of importing anti-rape devices: HC

The High Court today asked the government to form an expert committee to determine the process and feasibility of importing anti-rape safety devices.

The devices will be connected to emergency helpline 999, the court said.  

The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Directorate of ICT, inspector general of police and ICT department of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) have been asked to form the committee and submit a report before the HC in 60 days.

The court also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain in four weeks why they should not be directed to provide safety and security for women and girls against incidents of rape, stalking and sexual assault at public places across the country.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman passed the order and issued the rule following a writ petition filed by rights organisation Children’s Charity Foundation Bangladesh and Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust seeking necessary order over the issues.

The organisations submitted the writ petition to the HC on January 12 as a public interest litigation saying that different countries like Malaysia, Thailand and China have introduced safety devices that identify the rape offenders and locate the scenes.

The incidents of rape and sexual harassment in Bangladesh has risen in recent years, the writ petitioner said in the petition. Therefore, such devices need to be introduced in Bangladesh, the petition said.

Barrister M Abdul Halim and Adv Ishrat Hasan appeared for the writ petitioners during the hearing of the writ petition today.