Bangladesh: Supreme Court orders Rana Plaza murder case to conclude within six months
"Supreme Court Orders Speedy Trial in Rana Plaza Collapse Case, RMG Workers' Struggle Continues", 15 January 2024
In a landmark verdict, Bangladesh's Supreme Court Appellate Division has ordered the lower court to conclude the Rana Plaza building collapse murder case within six months. The case has been lingering in the corridors of justice since the cataclysmic event on April 24, 2013, when the Rana Plaza building collapsed, leading to the death of over 1,100 ready-made garment (RMG) workers and severely injuring thousands.
The Suspension of Sohel Rana's Bail
In a recent development, the court suspended the bail of the building's owner, Sohel Rana. Earlier, the High Court had granted Rana bail on April 6, 2023. However, on July 10, 2023, the Appellate Division suspended it for six months. The decision came from a four-member bench led by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, who heard the bail petition.
Rana's Capture and the Aftermath
Five days post the disaster, as Rana attempted to escape to India, he was apprehended by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). His arrest led to the filing of a case against him and the factory owners within the doomed building.
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