One of the reasons for the delay in the trial of rape cases is the lack of adequate forensic DNA laboratories. For this, two DNA labs will be set up in Chittagong and Rajshahi as soon as possible.

Advisor on Forest, Climate and Environment Syeda Rizwana Hasan said this at a press briefing organized at the Foreign Service Academy on Bailey Road in the capital on Monday (March 17). The decision was taken at a special meeting of the Advisory Council chaired by Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

A notification from the Cabinet Division said that the Advisory Council has given in-principle approval to the draft of the Women and Children Repression Prevention (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. The draft will be revised as per the feedback received from the stakeholders and presented for final approval in the next meeting of the Advisory Council.

It was also said that two forensic DNA labs will be set up in Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions to increase the capacity to detect crimes related to violence against women and children. Rizwana Hasan said that the meeting decided to quickly start the process of appointing a few judges through the Special Judicial Service Commission so that the trial process of rape and other cases can be expedited.