Two years have passed since the collapse of Rana Plaza at Savar that killed over 1,135 people, mostly female garment workers, but charge sheets in the three criminal cases are yet to be pressed.
The process has apparently been stuck since September last year as the government is yet to approve the inclusion of 20 public servants in the cases.
Officials of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which has been given time on several occasions to submit the charge sheets, now say they hope to press the charges by May 21.
On April 15 this year, the Dhaka’s Judicial Magistrate Court fixed May 21 for submission of the probe reports.
Over 2,500 people were also injured in the deadliest building collapse in the country’s history on April 24, 2013. Two cases were
filed over the incident – one under criminal code while the other under building construction act.
CID Senior Assistant Superintendent Bijoy Krishna Kar, also investigation officer of the cases, yesterday said: “We hope to submit the charge sheets before the court on the next date.”
Asked about the delay, he said: “We have already prepared two charge sheets accusing 42 people in the two criminal cases and against 17 others in the building code case. But we could not submit the reports as the clearance order about some government officials has remained pending.”
Of the 42 accused in the criminal cases, 13 are government officials. On the other hand, seven government officials were named in the other case filed by Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).
In line with the law, the investigation officer sent letters to the relevant ministries seeking clearance about the government officials.
It was learn that the CID so far sent letters to the Labour Ministry, Rajuk, and the local government and the public administration ministries. However, only the Local Government Ministry has responded to the letter.
Sheikh Hemayet Hossain, additional inspector general of the CID, said: “We are analysing details of every accused and got clearance about some of the officials. The government is yet to clear inclusion of six officials.”
A day after the collapse, Rajuk official Helaluddin filed a case against Sohel Rana, owner of Rana Plaza, for structural flaws in the building and for constructing it with sub-standard materials and also for violation of building code.
The other cases were filed by Savar police and the family of a victim against Rana, his father and owners of the five factories housed in the building.
Another CID official, involved in the investigation process, said accused under the Local Government Ministry are Savar municipality Mayor Refayetullah, ward seven Councillor Mohammad Ali Khan, Upazila Executive Engineer Rafiqul Islam, assistant engineers Rashedul Islam Rasel and Mahbubur Rahman and Town planner Farzana Islam.
Among them, Refayetullah and Mohammad Ali are on bail while the others in jail. Farzana has been staying abroad on leave.
Charges have also been brought against some officials under the Labour Ministry – joint inspectors general of industry section Belayet Hossain and Mahmud Jamsedur Rahman; deputy inspectors general Shahidul Islam and Yousuf Ali.
The accused under the Public Administration Ministry are Savar municipality UNO Kabir Hossain Sarker and Chief Executive Official Uttam Kumar Ray; and Rajuk’s Savar municipality Building Inspector Awald Hossain.
The delay has created doubt among survivors and victims’ families as well as labour rights organisations whether the government is sincere to ensure justice to the victims.
Expressing frustration, Jolly Talukder, joint secretary general of Garments Sramik Trade Union Kendra, said: “The government arrested Sohel Rana in the face of our movement. But it seems that the government is not sincere enough to ensure punishment of those responsible for the tragic incidence.”
The law enforcers have so far arrested 22 people including Jubo League leader and Rana Plaza owner Sohel Rana and his father Abdul Khalek. However, 14 of the arrestees have already got bails.
Source: Dhaka Tribune