Victims still await justice as trials drag on

Twelve years have passed since the Rana Plaza collapse, yet the trials of two related cases remain incomplete at a Dhaka court, mainly due to the repeated absence of prosecution witnesses.

Frustrated by the prolonged delay, survivors and victims' families said they will not be able to see justice in their lifetime.

At least 1,136 people, mostly garment workers, were killed and over 2,500 were injured when the nine-storey building collapsed in Savar on April 24, 2013, marking the deadliest garment factory disaster in history.

In 2016, the murder trial against 41 accused, including building owner Sohel Rana, began. However, proceedings in another case -- filed for violating building codes -- have not yet started.

On July 18, 2016, the Dhaka district and sessions judge's court framed charges against the accused in the murder case. Since then, only 94 of the 594 prosecution witnesses have testified, according to the prosecution.

The court recorded statements of witness Nuruzzaman Dolon, former secretary of Rana Plaza Owners' Association, on February 12 this year. Since then, no witnesses have testified in the court.

On April 15, the court issued non-bailable arrest warrants against 15 witnesses and set May 15 as the next date for witness statements.

Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, Public Prosecutor Md Iqbal Hossain said witnesses are now being summoned to testify properly, and non-bailable arrest warrants are being issued against those who fail to appear.

"We are taking steps to finish the trial without delay," he said, adding, "Some witnesses testified but did not give statements properly before the court. We declared them hostile," he said.

A day after the incident, Wali Ashraf Khan, sub-inspector of Savar Police Station, filed the murder case against Sohel Rana, also a former Jubo League leader, and several others.

On May 24, 2015, CID's Senior Assistant Superintendent Bijay Krishna Kar pressed charges against Sohel Rana, his parents Abdul Khaleque and Morjina, and 38 others.

Of the 41 accused, only Sohel Rana is currently behind bars. Thirty-one are out on bail, six are absconding, and three have died.

In 2017, Rana was also sentenced to three years in prison in a separate graft case.

BUILDING CODE VIOLATION CASE

Rajuk filed the second case on the day of the collapse for violating building codes while constructing Rana Plaza.

Charges were pressed against Sohel Rana and 17 others on May 24, 2015, and indictments followed on June 14, 2016.

However, the trial is still pending at the additional chief judicial magistrate's court of Dhaka.

Assistant Public Prosecutor Estiyak Hossain Zipu said the proceedings had been delayed due to the High Court stay orders, which were recently scrapped.

He expressed hope that the trial will start soon.

VICTIMS STILL WAIT FOR JUSTICE

Nilufar Yasmin, who used to work as a sewing operator on the fifth floor, was rescued nine and a half hours after the collapse.

She suffered severe injuries to her spine, legs, and head, and despite receiving treatment for a long time, she has not recovered enough to return to normal life.

Speaking to The Daily Star, she said, "It [the collapse] was murder. We have been demanding compensation, rehabilitation, medical care, and punishment for the owner. None of our demands have been met to this day."

Nilufar now lives with disabilities and in extreme hardship. "My husband and children left me. I used to sell betel leaves and cigarettes on the streets to survive. Now, due to illness, I'm stuck at home. I can't afford medicine or food. Without help, I'll die of starvation," she said.

"After the fall of the Hasina government, we had hoped that our demands would finally be met. But this government, too, is not addressing our concerns," she also said.

Monir Hossain, a former worker on the fourth floor, was rescued after nine days. He suffered eye and spinal injuries.

"The collapse destroyed our lives. Those responsible for the deaths of so many of our colleagues have not been brought to book. In 12 years, not a single demand has been fulfilled. We still hope this government will deliver justice," he said.

[Our Savar correspondent contributed to this report.]