HC issues rule to amend sec 375 of the Penal Code

Court Correspondent: Dhaka, Apr-10,

The High Court has issued a rule to amend section 375 of the Penal Code to include ‘rape of males’ and ‘rape of others’ as a crime and punishable offence.

A High Court division bench comprising of Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the order on the preliminary hearing of a writ petition.

Secretary of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs ministry, Secretary of Home ministry and the Inspector General (IG) of Police have been asked to respond to the rule within four weeks.

Lawyer Tapas Kanti Bal appeared for the petition while Dr Soumen Bhowmik, Supreme Court Lawyer Tasmia Nuhia Ahmed and Social Activist Dr Masum Billah filed the writ petition.

Tapas Kanti Bal, counsel for the writ petition, told the media, “In recent times, the incidence of sexual abuse and rape of boy-children, as well as ‘Male’s has increased significantly. However, such abuse cannot be prosecuted as rape as there is no existing provision.”

“For this reason, an application was made to include ‘rape of males’ as a crime under section 375 of the Penal Code by amending it. The court today issued a rule to those concerned regarding the hearing,” he added.

According to the writ petition, section 375 deals only with rape of women by men. There is no question of sexual harassment on women by women, men by women, men by men or even by a transgender without the consent of another transgender or others.

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