Law minister hopes HC will uphold Pallabi child murder verdict

Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman has expressed satisfaction with the court verdict in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old child in Dhaka’s Pallabi area and voiced hope that it will be upheld by the High Court Division.

Speaking to reporters at the Law Ministry meeting room in the Secretariat on Sunday, the minister said the entire nation was deeply hurt by the brutal incident. 

He noted that the government had made every effort to expedite the trial. Following the incident on May 19, the investigation was completed swiftly and the charge sheet was submitted by May 24.

Despite government holidays from May 25 to 31 and the subsequent long vacation of the lower courts, the trial advanced rapidly due to special government initiatives. 

With the consent of the Chief Justice, the Dhaka Metropolitan Children's Violence Suppression Tribunal operated outside the holiday period, enabling the case to progress.

The Law Minister highlighted that the trial was completed in just six working days after charges were framed on June 1 — a rare occurrence in Bangladesh’s judicial history. 

He added that such speedy trials are also uncommon in the broader context of South Asian judicial precedents.

Asaduzzaman said the government was satisfied with the verdict delivered so far and hoped the High Court would uphold it. 

Responding to a question, he stated that the case file would reach the High Court Division within seven days. Subsequent legal processes, including preparation of the paper book, would be completed under the supervision of the Supreme Court.

He further disclosed that discussions had been held with the Chief Justice on the swift disposal of death penalty cases, and initiatives would be taken to resolve them as quickly as possible.