The Prevention of Women and Children Repression Act, 2000 is a special penal law addressing serious forms of violence against women and children in Bangladesh. It applies throughout the country and covers offences including acid attacks, rape, dowry-related violence, trafficking of women and children, kidnapping, and sexual oppression. The Act establishes special tribunals to conduct trials and prescribes stringent penalties, including the death penalty or life imprisonment for aggravated forms of offences such as acid throwing causing death or permanent disfigurement, custodial rape, and trafficking for immoral purposes. Key procedural mechanisms include the requirement that cases be investigated by female officers where feasible, in-camera trials for rape cases, and time-bound trial completion. The Act places the burden of proof on the accused for certain offences, a notable departure from ordinary criminal procedure. It also establishes a National Tribunal for particularly grave offences and provides for witness protection. The Act remains in force and operates alongside the Penal Code, frequently superseding general provisions with its stricter regime.
Full text · showing key sections
§ 1Short Title
This Act shall be called the Prevention of Women and Children Repression Act, 2000.
§ 2Definitions
Unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context, in this Act,- (a) "offence" means any offence punishable under this Act; (b) "abduction" means compelling any person, by force or allurement or deception or intimidation, to go from one place to another; (c) "detention" means detaining any person at any place against his will; (d) "tribunal" means any tribunal constituted under this Act; (e) "rape" means, subject to the provisions of section 9, rape as defined in section 375 of the Penal Code, 1860 (Act XLV of 1860); (f) "newborn child" means a child under forty days of age; (g) "woman" means a woman of any age; (h) "sexual intercourse" means insertion of the male organ into the vagina or anus of any woman or child, or any part of the body or any other object, or insertion of the male organ into the mouth of any person, for the purpose of sexual gratification; (i) "child" means a person not exceeding sixteen years of age; (j) "High Court Division" means the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
§ 3Supremacy of the Act
Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the provisions of this Act shall have effect.
§ 4Punishment for Offence Committed by Burning or Using Explosive Substances
Whoever causes hurt to any woman or child by burning or using explosive, inflammable or other destructive substances shall be punished with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment not exceeding fourteen years and with fine.
§ 7Punishment for Abduction of Women and Children
Whoever abducts any woman or child shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding seven years and with fine.
§ 8Punishment for Extortion of Ransom
Whoever extorts ransom by abducting any woman or child shall be punished with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment not exceeding fourteen years and with fine.
§ 9Punishment for Rape, Death Caused by Rape etc.
(1)Whoever commits rape shall be punished with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment not exceeding twenty years and shall also be liable to fine.
(2)If the rape causes the death of the victim or leaves the victim in a persistent vegetative state, the offender shall be punished with death or with imprisonment for life.
(3)Whoever attempts to commit rape shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding ten years or with fine or with both.
§ 9APunishment for Abetment of Suicide etc.
Whoever abets or instigates any woman or child to commit suicide shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding ten years and with fine.
§ 9BPunishment for Sexual Intercourse by Deceitful Promise of Marriage
Whoever induces any woman or child to have sexual intercourse by making a false promise of marriage shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding ten years and with fine.
§ 10Punishment for Sexual Harassment etc.
Whoever sexually harasses any woman or child shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding seven years and with fine.
§ 11Punishment for Death Caused for Dowry etc.
If any person causes the death of any woman for dowry or causes hurt to her for dowry, he shall be punished with death or with imprisonment for life and with fine.
§ 12Punishment for Mutilation of Child for Begging etc.
Whoever, for the purpose of begging or any other illegal purpose, mutilates or causes hurt to any child shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding ten years and with fine.
§ 13Provisions Regarding Child Born as Result of Rape
Where a woman gives birth to a child as a result of rape, the court may order the accused person to pay compensation for the maintenance of the child.
§ 14Prohibition on Disclosure of Identity of Victim through Media
No person shall publish or broadcast the identity of any woman or child who is a victim of any offence under this Act, including name, address, photograph, family details, or any other information that may identify the victim.
§ 15Recovery of Fine from Future Property
Where any fine or compensation imposed under this Act cannot be recovered from the convicted person, the court may order attachment and sale of the property of the convicted person to recover the amount.
§ 16Method of Recovery of Fine or Compensation
Fine or compensation imposed under this Act shall be recovered in the manner prescribed by the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898).
§ 17Punishment for False Case etc.
Whoever files a false case or makes a false complaint under this Act shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding seven years and with fine.
§ 18Investigation of Offence
(1)All offences under this Act shall be investigated by a police officer not below the rank of Inspector.
(2)The investigation shall be completed within sixty days from the date of registration of the case.
§ 19Cognizance of Offence etc.
(1)No court shall take cognizance of any offence under this Act except upon a complaint made by the victim or her relatives or any person having knowledge of the offence.
(2)A complaint under sub-section (1) may be made within one year from the date of the offence.
§ 20Trial Procedure
(1)The trial of offences under this Act shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898).
(2)The trial shall be completed within one year from the date of filing the charge sheet.
§ 21Trial in Absence of Accused
Where the accused person absconds or cannot be apprehended, the court may proceed with the trial in his absence in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.
§ 22Power of Magistrate to Record Statement at Any Place
A Magistrate may record the statement of any witness at any place if he considers it necessary for the purpose of this Act.
§ 23Evidence of Chemical Examiner, Blood Tester etc.
The report of a chemical examiner, blood tester or any other expert shall be admissible as evidence in any trial under this Act.
§ 24Presence of Witnesses
In any trial under this Act, the court may order the presence of such witnesses as it considers necessary for the just decision of the case.
§ 24APresumption Regarding Consent
Where a person is charged with an offence under this Act involving sexual intercourse with a woman or child, the court may presume that such intercourse was without the consent of the woman or child.
§ 25Application of Code of Criminal Procedure etc.
Subject to the provisions of this Act, the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898) shall apply to all proceedings under this Act.
§ 25AResponsibility of Officer-in-Charge of Police Station
The officer-in-charge of a police station shall, on receiving information of an offence under this Act, immediately register a case and take necessary steps for investigation.
§ 26Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal
(1)The Government shall, by notification in the official Gazette, constitute one or more Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunals for such areas as it may specify.
(2)Each tribunal shall consist of a Judge who is a District Judge or Additional District Judge.
§ 26AChild Violence Prevention Tribunal
The Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, constitute one or more Child Violence Prevention Tribunals for such areas as it may specify.
§ 27Jurisdiction of Tribunal
A tribunal shall have jurisdiction to try all offences under this Act committed within its territorial jurisdiction.
§ 28Appeal
(1)Any person aggrieved by a sentence or order of the tribunal may prefer an appeal to the High Court Division within thirty days from the date of the sentence or order.
(2)The appeal shall be disposed of within ninety days from the date of filing the appeal.
§ 29Confirmation of Death Sentence
Where a tribunal passes a sentence of death, the sentence shall be subject to confirmation by the High Court Division in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.
§ 30Punishment for Abetment or Assistance in Offence
Whoever abets or assists in the commission of any offence under this Act shall be punished with the same punishment as provided for the offence itself.
§ 31Protective Custody
Where a woman or child is a victim of any offence under this Act, the court may order that the victim be kept in such protective custody as the court may determine.
§ 31AAccountability of Tribunal etc.
The tribunal and its officers shall be accountable for the proper discharge of their functions under this Act.
§ 32Medical Examination of Accused and Victim
(1)The court may order medical examination of the accused person and the victim of the offence.
(2)The medical examination shall be conducted by a registered medical practitioner in the presence of a female police officer.
§ 32ADNA Examination of Accused and Victim
The court may order DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) examination of the accused person and the victim of the offence for the purpose of establishing the identity of the offender.
§ 32BProtection and Allowance of Witnesses etc.
(1)The court may take such measures as it considers necessary for the protection of witnesses and the victim.
(2)The court may order payment of such allowance to the witnesses as it considers reasonable.
§ 33Power to Make Rules
The Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.
§ 34Repeal and Savings
(1)The Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 1995 (Act No. 18 of 1995) is hereby repealed.
(2)Notwithstanding such repeal, any action taken or measure adopted under the repealed Act shall be deemed to have been taken or adopted under this Act.
§ 35Special Provision Regarding Offence under Section 11(d)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other law for the time being in force, the offence mentioned in clause (d) of section 11 shall be non-compoundable and non-bailable.
The Prevention of Women and Children Repression Act, 2000 is a special penal law addressing serious forms of violence against women and children in Bangladesh. It applies throughout the country and covers offences including acid attacks, rape, dowry-related violence, trafficking of women and children, kidnapping, and sexual oppression. The Act establishes special tribunals to conduct trials and prescribes stringent penalties, including the death penalty or life imprisonment for aggravated forms of offences such as acid throwing causing death or permanent disfigurement, custodial rape, and trafficking for immoral purposes. Key procedural mechanisms include the requirement that cases be investigated by female officers where feasible, in-camera trials for rape cases, and time-bound trial completion. The Act places the burden of proof on the accused for certain offences, a notable departure from ordinary criminal procedure. It also establishes a National Tribunal for particularly grave offences and provides for witness protection. The Act remains in force and operates alongside the Penal Code, frequently superseding general provisions with its stricter regime.
