Dhaka: Despite the passage of 12 years since the Rana Plaza collapse in Savar, the legal proceedings related to the tragedy are still unresolved. The horrific incident, which occurred on April 24, 2013, resulted in the death of 1,134 people and injured nearly 2,000 others. Moreover, compensation issues for the victims remain unsettled.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua emphasized the urgency of resolving both the criminal and compensation cases associated with the Rana Plaza incident. He highlighted that victims have not yet received the promised compensation ranging from Taka 17 to 25 lakh, with funds from international organizations being mere donations rather than compensation.
The Rana Plaza collapse led to the filing of four cases, with only one case-regarding the concealment of information about the assets-having been settled. The remaining three cases, which include a murder case citing death due to negligence, a case for constructing a building without adhering to the Building Construction Act, and two graft-related cases, remain unresolved.
Building owner Sohel Rana, who is among the accused, is currently in jail. Following the collapse, a charge sheet was filed on April 26, 2015, against 41 individuals, including Sohel Rana. Of these, three accused have passed away, leaving 38 individuals to face charges. Formal trial proceedings began on July 18, 2016, but remain pending. Out of 594 witnesses, 94 have testified so far.
The prosecution continues to face challenges in gathering witness testimonies, with non-bailable arrest warrants issued to compel attendance. Despite these hurdles, Dhaka District Public Prosecutor Md Iqbal Hossain expressed hope for a swift conclusion to the trial.
In parallel, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) initiated investigations into the corruption surrounding the building’s construction. The ACC found that the eight-storey Rana Plaza was built despite approval for only six storeys, leading to a corruption case against 18 individuals, including Rana. This case is pending in the Dhaka Divisional Special Court.
Additionally, Sohel Rana and his mother Marjina Begum faced charges of concealing information about their assets. On August 29, 2017, both received three-year prison sentences, and the court ordered confiscation of part of their illegally acquired property.